Turn Darkly

Heather McVea

Published by Heather McVea at Smashwords

Copyright 2014 Heather McVea

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used factiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or event is entirely coincidental. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from the author.

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“Face your life, its pain, its pleasure, leave no path untaken.”

- Neil Gaiman

“Do you know why I’ve pulled you over today?” The sheriff’s eyes were hidden behind a pair of mirror lensed Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses, and the brass name tag on the right side of his uniform shirt read Swinnea in block lettering.

“I was speeding.” Regan Andrews had never been one to meander; so she had learned a long time ago it was best not to insult the officer’s intelligence by feigning ignorance.

“Seventy six in a seventy mile an hour zone, young lady.” The man was in his late forties; his gray hair was cropped short, and neatly combed to the side. His polyester blend brown uniform looked stifling in the West Texas heat.

Regan grimaced. “I guess this hotrod got away from me.” She ran her hand over the faded blue steering wheel of her 1971 white Volkswagen van and smiled at the officer.

Without looking at Regan, the sheriff flipped his black leather notebook open, and clicked his pen. “License and insurance.”

Clearly the officer was in no mood for banter, and Regan resigned herself to a ticket. “Sure. I’ve got them right here.”

Leaning over, she pulled her insurance card from the glove box, and after digging around in her beige canvas backpack, she fished her brown leather Fossil wallet out. Removing her Texas driver’s license from the inside sleeve of the wallet, Regan flashed her most charming smile as she handed the sheriff her papers.

Without a word, the sheriff took the documents from Regan, and walked back to his cruiser. You think he would be desperate for human interaction out here. Scanning her surroundings, Regan thought the arid, flat plains of West Texas seemed almost alien in their sparseness. Minus the ominous blue and gray hues of the mountains jutting out in the distance, the flat plains reminded her of the Mars Rover photos.

“Where are you headed, Ms. Andrews?” The sheriff suddenly appeared at the driver’s side window, and Regan jumped in surprise.

“Oh, I’m - I’m going to Howell.” She took her driver’s license and insurance card from the officer.

“Howell? What business do you have there?” The man’s tone verged on accusatory.

“I’m an astronomy doctoral candidate at A&M, and I’ve booked time at Addison Observatory.” Regan thought that regardless of loneliness, the man was in need of human interaction. His small talk skills were terrible.

“Then you’re going through Howell. You’re staying at Addison.” The man curtly corrected Regan as he handed her the leather notebook. “Sign at the bottom. You’re being cited for excessive speed. You can pay the fine via the instructions at the bottom of the ticket, or appear in traffic court on the assigned date.”

Regan signed her name, and handed the notebook back to the sheriff. “Okay. Thanks.” She was tempted to correct the man, and tell him she was staying in Howell proper, but the man’s less than friendly demeanor triggered a rare moment of silence for Regan.

Her stint at Addison Observatory had been last minute, because a colleague had canceled his time due to a family illness. As a result, she was able to take his telescope time. However, since Regan wasn’t interested in sharing a dorm room with three male researchers, she had rented a small efficiency apartment in Howell. The small town had less than a hundred residents, and was only twenty miles from the observatory, making for a relatively short commute.

“Slow down, Ms. Andrews.” Not waiting for a response, the man walked back to his cruiser.

Regan took a deep breath as she rolled her window up. She had dealt with cranky cops before, but this one had been outright rude.

Flipping her turn signal on, she slowly pulled the VW van onto the two lane blacktop, and gradually accelerated up to seventy miles an hour. Looking in her rearview mirror, she watched as the cruiser executed a U-turn and drove off in the opposite direction.

Grateful to be the only car on the road again, Regan flexed her fingers, and tilted her head to the right, willing the tension from her shoulders and back. She had been on the road since six o’clock in the morning, opting to make the nine hour drive from College Station, Texas in one day to ensure she had time to get settled before her first scheduled time at the observatory.

The drive had been uneventful until her run-in with Officer Swinnea, and she counted her blessings. Having just driven through Marfa, she was less than forty miles north of Howell with at least three hours of daylight left. She would be able to unload her van, and hopefully find someplace to eat that didn’t involve pre-packaged meat ordered from a speaker box.

***

Regan parked her VW alongside a curb on Howell’s main and possibly only street. Sliding out of the van, she stretched her arms over her head, and cringed at the series of pops that came from her back and shoulders. Looking at her black and yellow Timex Ironman watch, she saw it was five thirty, and she mentally calculated whether she should grab dinner or go ahead and unload her belongings.

Seeing her reflection in one of the rear windows of the van, Regan pulled the elastic band that had been holding her hair back in a loose bun free, and ran her hand through her shoulder length brown hair before tying it back again. Pushing her black Oakley Holbrook-style sunglasses up onto her head, she leaned in, and took stock of her appearance in the van’s side mirror.

Her contacts were dry, and her light brown eyes were bloodshot from the hours of driving. The faint bags under her eyes were telltale signs of her fatigue, and reminders of the nine hour drive she had just made.

Scanning the nearly deserted street, she noted the small market, with a faded wood sign that read Hobb’s Market hanging in the window next to the Closed sign. She could buy groceries tomorrow, then. Otherwise, with the exception of a few trucks coming and going, and several elderly men loitering outside a feed store, the street was hot and deserted.

“You Regan?” A woman’s hoarse voice came from the sidewalk behind Regan.

Turning around, Regan looked at the abrupt woman , who had thin gray hair hanging loosely around her shoulders. She was at least seventy years old, and her skin looked like worn leather, presumably from decades in the West Texas sun. She was dressed in faded Levi jeans, a long sleeve beige western style shirt, and brown cowboy boots that had seen better days.

“Yes - yes, ma’am. Are you Vera Barroll?”

The woman pulled a pack of unfiltered Lucky Strike cigarettes from the left breast pocket of her shirt, and a metal Zippo lighter from her right front jean pocket. Lighting a cigarette, the woman’s eyes looked Regan up and down.

“You look younger than twenty five. You sure you’re legal?” The woman picked a piece of tobacco from the tip of her tongue. Her fingers were yellow from years of smoking.

Regan blushed under the woman’s scrutiny. “Clean living I guess, but yes, I’m twenty five.” She managed a smile, in spite of her reservations now in renting a room from this woman.

Huffing, Vera turned, and walked towards a store front with a faded sign in the window that read Camping Gear. “Well, follow me then. The room is over the store.”

Regan looked at the narrow wood structure that was wedged between two other buildings. Each building had faded wood siding and windows with mismatched panes from years of piecemealing repairs together.

Following Vera into the dimly lit interior of the store, Regan was immediately overwhelmed with the smell of stale cigarette smoke. If the room was anything like the store, she might have to put aside any pretense of modesty and take the dorm room at Addison.

The linoleum flooring that ran throughout the store was at some point blue, but now, with years of wear and tear, was a faded gray with spots worn through to the concrete subfloor. The store’s fixtures were handmade pine shelves lined with an assortment of outdoor equipment.

Regan was surprised how well organized the space was, considering its proprietor’s disheveled appearance.

“Are you coming or not?” Vera’s harsh tone startled Regan, who had stopped just inside the glass front door of the shop in an effort to take the space in.

Walking quickly toward the back of the store, Regan smiled at the woman. “Sorry. I was admiring your store.”

Vera turned her back to Regan, and without saying a word, opened a narrow wood door, behind which was a steep wooden staircase. The two women navigated up the stairs, and into what amounted to the attic of the store.

Regan was pleasantly surprised with how clean the room was, and more importantly, how smoke free the air was.

A single metal frame bed was positioned against the far wall, with a wood nightstand and lamp next to it. A metal bar jutted out from the plaster wall, presumably a makeshift closet, and a dividing wall ran along the back of the room. Peering behind the structure, Regan saw a standalone shower, a sink and toilet.

A small window model air conditioning unit sat in the only window in the room, and was managing to keep the space cool in spite of the hundred plus degree temperatures outside. The kitchen was nothing more than a mini refrigerator, sink, and a counter with a hot plate set up in the corner, but it was sufficient for Regan’s needs.

“It’s eighty five dollars a week, and if you leave before a week is up - too bad. I keep the money.” Vera pulled a folded piece of paper out of her back pocket. “Here’s the lease. Fill in your dates, and attach a check for one week’s rent to it.”

Regan stepped forward, and took the paper from Vera. Scanning the document, it seemed fairly straight forward. “Is the store the only way in?”

Vera had walked toward the door, and stood with her hand on the tarnished brass doorknob. “It is. Once you sign the lease and pay, I’ll give you two keys. One for the store for afterhours, and one for the stairwell door.” The woman stared toward the small window. The early evening light cast the room in dim grays and browns. “I wouldn’t recommend staying out much after dark though.”

Regan, who had been studying the lease agreement, looked up. “Oh, well, I’m working at the observatory, so that can’t be helped.”

The old woman shrugged. “Your life.” She opened the door, and then turning to face Regan, pointed her thin, yellowed finger at her. “Just you know, I take regular inventory in the store, so don’t get any ideas that you’ll be taking something you didn’t pay for.” Without another word, the woman disappeared down the stairs.

Regan’s brow narrowed as she watched the woman leave. Her rudeness, mixed with the less than subtle insinuation that Regan may be a thief, was annoying, and she wondered if she had made a mistake in deciding to stay in town.

You haven’t signed anything. You could just leave. Regan walked down the stairs and found Vera behind a counter near a cash register that was at least as old as the woman herself.

“I’m going to get some dinner. I saw a diner a block up, and then I’ll be back with the lease.” Regan wasn’t sure yet if the last part was true.

Vera shrugged. “Better hurry, the Last Stop will be closing soon.”

Regan looked at her watch again. It was a few minutes before six, and she found it hard to believe any eatery would close before the dinner hour. “Okay. Thanks.”

Walking down the sidewalk, Regan shoved the lease into the back pocket of her khaki shorts, electing to eat something before deciding what to do about Vera and her crankiness.

The Last Stop was, like Vera’s store, a narrow wood structure between two other abandoned stores. The outside was more presentable than the camping store, as the owner had at least taken the time to maintain the paint and windows.

Stepping onto the narrow wood planked porch that ran along the front of the restaurant, Regan heard a series of clicks coming from the wood and glass front door.

A figure moved away from the door, and into the shadows of the restaurant. Regan leaned in, and shielding her eyes, peered into the space. “Hello? Sorry about this, but I just drove nine hours, and was hoping to grab something to eat.” There was no movement inside. “I can take it to go, but I’m starving here. You would be doing me a solid.”

After several seconds, Regan stepped back, and resigned herself to the protein bar and bottled water she had in her van. Turning toward the street, she heard the hinges of the door creak. Pivoting around, Regan saw a woman standing in the doorway.

The woman was Regan’s height and more or less her same age, with a similar athletic build. Her hair was black and cut short, accentuating her angular features and her light blue eyes. Her skin was flawless, and tan with a hint of red at her cheeks.

“Hey.” Regan was struggling to focus. The woman in front of her was beautiful.

“We’re closed.” The woman stated casually.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Regan nodded. “Yeah. Sorry to bother you.” She forced her feet to move, and stepped off the porch onto the sidewalk.

“I can make you something real quick, but you’ll have to take it with you.” The woman offered.

Regan turned, and smiled. “That would be great. Thanks.”

She followed the woman into the restaurant, and sat on one of five wooden stools lining a narrow counter.

The woman handed Regan a laminated menu. “I’ve already turned the grill off, so please stick to the sandwiches and salads.”

“Of course.” Regan skimmed the menu. “Ah, the turkey and Swiss would be fine, but can I sub the mayo for yellow mustard?” The woman nodded. Regan slid the menu across the counter, and with a broad smile extended her hand. “I’m Regan, by the way, and thanks again for doing this.”

A faint smile found the woman’s lips, and then quickly disappeared as she took Regan’s hand in hers. “Lily.”

Regan nodded. “Nice to meet you.”

Lily turned, and after pulling several containers from a cooler that ran the length of the back counter, began assembling Regan’s sandwich. “Do you want something to drink?” The woman didn’t look back as she asked.

“I’ve got a case of water in my van, so no worries.” Regan tried not to be too obvious in her admiration of the woman, but even in a pair of faded jeans, a threadbare red t-shirt, and a stained white apron, she couldn’t remember the last time she had seen someone so beautiful.

Lily turned around suddenly, and Regan quickly averted her eyes from the woman’s backside. A flush of heat found Regan’s neck and face, and she conspicuously cleared her throat. “Ah, maybe I will take that drink. Just some ice water.”

Reaching for a glass to her left, Lily frowned as she took note of Regan’s stare. Sliding the lid of the ice bin back, the woman scooped ice into the glass, filled it with water, and without a word placed it on the counter in front of Regan.

“Your sandwich will be ready in a minute.”

Regan felt like an ass. She had never been one to leer, but not looking at Lily felt akin to closing her eyes in an art museum. She’s not an object to be admired, shithead. The self-chastising brought an additional wave of shame over Regan, and she nervously sipped her water, hoping she could get out of this without making a complete fool of herself.

“Four ninety five.” Lily handed Regan a small white paper bag.

“What?” Regan looked blankly at the woman.

Lily frowned. “The sandwich. Four dollars and ninety five cents, please.”

“Right. Sorry.” Regan slid off the stool, and fished around in her pockets. “Shit.” She looked up at Lily apologetically. “I left my wallet in my van, but give me two minutes and I can go get it.”

The woman looked suspiciously at Regan. “I’ll time you.”

Grinning, Regan ran out of the restaurant and toward her van. Grabbing the wallet from her backpack, she shoved it in her back pocket and ran back toward the Last Stop.

Nearing the store front, she saw Lily standing on the front porch, the white bag with Regan’s sandwich in her hand, and a tall, dark haired man looking up at her from the sidewalk.

As Regan approached, she heard the man speaking in a harsh tone. “Don’t get attached.”

Regan hesitated, not wanting to interrupt an obviously tense conversation. “Hey. Sorry about this.” Reaching into her back pocket, she pulled her wallet out and handed Lily a twenty dollar bill.

“Let me get your change.” Lily handed Regan the bag.

Holding her hands up, Regan shook her head. “No. Please keep it. You’ve saved me from starvation.” She glanced at the man, who stood looking intently at her. “Hi. Regan.” She extended her hand to the stranger.

Looking at her hand, and then back at Regan’s slightly flushed face, he smiled. His teeth were perfectly aligned and a vivid white against his tan skin. “Trent Sexton. I’m Lily’s older brother.” Though the resemblance was clear, the man’s posture and tone made him significantly less appealing than his sister.

Nodding, Regan shook the man’s hand quickly, and then stepped back. “Nice to meet you.” Looking at Lily, she raised the bag. “Thanks again.”

Turning, Regan quickly walked back toward her van. The encounter with Trent was leaving her unsettled, with no real reason why. Now, standing in front of Vera’s store, she was more uncertain than ever if she should stay in Howell, or take her chances in Addison’s dormitory.

The astronomy field was populated mostly by men. For the most part, the few women Regan had worked with over the years had said their male colleagues were respectful. Still, she hardly thought it was fair of her to ask a group of men to live with a lone woman for two months. Regan considered her options, and sadly came up with very few.

Deciding it was best for her and her colleagues, Regan grabbed her bag from the van, and headed toward Vera’s. Her clothes in one hand, a very expensive turkey sandwich in the other, she was determined to get through the next two months and on to the rest of her life.

***

“You took Jose’s spot, right?” William McCale was Addison Observatory’s support astronomer. He was a short, stout man in his late fifties. His face was slightly pock-marked, and his thinning hair had a reddish hue to it. He was wearing a pair of blue jean shorts, and a black t-shirt that read old enough to remember when Pluto was a planet.

“I did. Dumb luck, really.” Regan stood with her backpack slung over one shoulder, and her brown leather laptop bag over the other.

“I hope everything works out with his wife.” William frowned as he walked toward a row of narrow desks.

Regan nodded and followed the man. She hated that her good fortune had come at the cost of another’s. Jose Moya was a decent man who, even after finding out his thirty three year old wife had ovarian cancer, had still been considerate enough to reach out to Regan about taking the time he had booked at Addison. In return, the planets had literally aligned, and the skies she needed coincided with Jose’s block.

Regan was fortunate the path that had brought her to the middle of West Texas had been more direct than most of her counterparts. Since she was thirteen, astronomy had captivated her. She remembered sitting in her doctor’s office with a terrible head cold, and reading an article in Scientific America by Carl Sagan.

Her eyes had filled with tears as she read, our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the Universe, are challenged by this point of pale light.

Her fascination with the science surrounding the very reason for existence had only grown over the years. She had found physics and astronomy to be humbling in how they challenged both her character and her intellect.

Regan’s heart had sunk when she had submitted a telescope time allocation request to the Addison selection committee six months ago, and had been told the earliest she would be slotted in was the summer of 2015.

This had meant she wouldn’t be able to complete her dissertation until the fall, delaying her doctorate until the spring of 2016. As a result, she would have lost her opportunity to intern at the William Herschel telescope, located on the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands.

“You can put your stuff in this desk.” William handed her a small silver key. “We’re a pretty honest bunch around here, but there are daily novices that come through, and I can’t speak for them; so it’s best to lock up.”

Regan took the key, and slipped it into her front pocket before putting her bags down on the desk. “Noted.”

“I looked at your submission form, viewing schedule, and your target catalogue; so the instrumentation is calibrated accordingly.” The man reached into his pocket and pulled a pack of Wrigley’s WinterFresh gum out and offered Regan a piece. “Dark matter?”

Regan’s brow arched as she unwrapped the silver foil from the gum. “Cold dark matter composition.”

William nodded. “RAMBO?”

Regan couldn’t help but smile at the acronym for Robust Associations of Massive Baryonic Objects, and how her mind always associated it with the melodramatic 1982 Sylvester Stallone movie instead of going to physics where it belonged.

“WIMP.” Regan folded the piece of gum in her mouth, a faint smile finding her lips at how physicists found their humor in the strangest places. The first time she had read about Weakly Interacting Massive Particles she had wondered if the universe just leant itself to comical acronyms.

“You’ve logged time at Aker and Anderson?” William leaned on the half wall that divided the desks as he popped a piece of gum in his mouth.

“Yes. Aker last summer and Anderson the summer before that. Both unsupervised.” Regan pulled her laptop out of its bag. Though the chit chat was friendly, she knew the man was also sizing her up.

“Start-of-run training is in a half hour in conference room A3. A site map is in the check-in package I gave you.” William turned and began walking away, and then paused. “One more thing.”

Regan had just powered her laptop on, and stopped to ensure her undivided attention was given to William. The support astronomer, no matter how judgmental or overbearing, could make or break an astronomer’s success at a telescope. “What’s that?”

“I appreciate why you’re not staying on site. It’s too bad there aren’t any empty rooms, or other women during your rotation.” William glanced down at the concrete floor, nervously chewing his gum.

Regan took a step toward the man. “What?”

Shaking his head, he looked up, and smiled. “Just be safe. The drive to Howell can be long and lonely at three in the morning.” Without another word, the man turned and walked away.

Regan shook her head, and chalked the man’s concern up to misplaced paternal tendencies. After all, he was old enough to be her father. She looked at her watch and realized it was nearly eight at night. Her first allocation of time was for two hours, and started at ten thirty.

Placing several text books and note pads in the desk drawer, she sat down and double clicked on the Starry Night Pro Plus icon on her laptop. Leaning her elbow on the desk, she rested her chin in her hand, her mind wandering.

The Andrews’ house was nothing if not academic. In spite of her parents’ commitment to ensuring Regan took her studies seriously, they always encouraged the girl to be well rounded. She had run track throughout high school, and participated in theatre groups while getting her undergraduate degree.

Science does not know its debt to imagination. Michael and Jeanne Andrews had the Ralph Waldo Emerson quote engraved on a pewter plate, and framed as a high school graduation gift to their daughter.

“At the risk of sounding like a crappy self-help book, you really can do anything, Regan. The world is entirely yours for the taking.” Jeanne and her daughter had been sitting on the sofa in their Austin home the night before Regan was leaving for college.

“I’m nervous.” The eighteen year old had confided.

Kissing the top of her daughter’s head, Jeanne grinned. “Your father and I will always be there for you.”

Regan sat up abruptly, her mother’s words ringing in her ears as the silence of the observatory made her feel hollow inside. Her parents had not been able to always be there for her, and remembering their last gift to her brought tears to Regan’s eyes.

“You’re giving it to me!” Regan had barely been able to contain her excitement as her father handed her the keys to his VW van.

Wrapping his arms around his twenty one year old daughter, he hugged her tightly. “She’s my baby, so you take care of her and she’ll take care of you.”

Regan laughed. “It’s so creepy that your van is a girl, Dad.”

“It’s the closest your father has ever come to an affair.” Jeanne smiled as she looked at her husband Michael and her daughter.

“Saying that doesn’t make it less creepy, Mom.” Regan walked toward her mother, and hugged her. “Thank you.”

Rubbing small, reassuring circles along her daughters back, Jeanne held the girl tightly. “You’re welcome.”

“And now you know why we brought two cars.” Michael referenced Regan’s confusion when they arrived for their quarterly visit to College Station. Jeanne had been in their 2006 Honda Accord, and Michael had been following in the 1971 VW.

“Y’all are awesome.” Regan beamed.

“Consider it your graduation present, and a very poor, albeit practical, representation of just how proud we are of you.” Michael put his arm around Regan’s shoulders.

Regan had nearly been done with her bachelors of science in physics, and had been accepted to the Wiess School of Natural Sciences at Rice University for her master’s work in Astronomy. She was planning to come back to Texas A&M to complete her doctorate, since that was where both her parents had received their doctorates. Her mother had been in engineering, and her father in anthropology.

Driving home from dropping the van off, Regan’s parents had been hit head on by a semi whose operator had fallen asleep after driving for thirteen straight hours. The two most important people in Regan’s life had vanished, leaving her resentful of their absence, and shattered by the brutality of their deaths.

“Penny for your thoughts?” A man’s voice interrupted Regan’s remembrances.

Before turning around to face the man, Regan wiped the errant tear from her cheek. She never wanted to be the astronomer that cried at the observatory.

“Sorry, what?” Regan turned in her chair to face the man.

“I said - never mind, it was stupid.” The man was in his early thirties, six feet tall, with sandy blond hair. He was dressed in a pair of oversized khaki cargo shorts, and a faded gray Baylor University t-shirt. “I’m Jason Wiggles.”

Regan couldn’t help but laugh. “Are you putting me on?”

The man frowned, and then grinned. “Oh, the suggestive last name.” He shrugged. “It’s sadly my actual name, but hey - great icebreaker.”

Regan stood up, and extended her hand. “Regan Andrews.”

“Regan? As in the Exorcist?” The man’s left eyebrow shot up.

This wasn’t the first time Regan had heard the comparison. “If I say yes, where do we go from there?”

Jason laughed. “Awesome.” Pulling a chair over from one of the adjacent desks, he sat down. “You’re here for two months, right?”

Regan sat back down. “Yes. I’m staying in Howell.”

The man cocked his head to the side. “Why not here?”

Regan smirked. “A dorm full of men and little old me? Didn’t feel right.”

A mischievous glint shot across the man’s blue eyes. “What a world we live in when a woman can’t -”

Regan held her hand up. “Stop right there.”

Jason chuckled. “I was just going to say it’s sad those lines have to be drawn.”

Regan sighed. “Sad for the eight men. I assure you not for the one woman.”

“Fair enough.” The man stood, and slid the chair back in its place. “I’m heading over to the orientation meeting. Want to walk together?”

Regan was never one to shy away from making a friend, even if Jason may have a slightly twisted slant to him. She had learned over the years that normal was a mathematical term that rarely, if ever, applied to human behavior.

***

It hadn’t been one of Regan’s better runs. She had arrived back at her room after two in the morning from her work at the observatory, and keeping her running schedule, while managing the heat, meant she was up at seven in the morning.

To make matters worse, she had opted not to drive to one of the many state parks that peppered this part of West Texas and trail run. Instead she had done a four mile loop out of Howell, and then back. Though flat, the route offered very little in the way of scenery, and a playlist could only do so much.

Nearing the edge of town, Regan slowed to a brisk walk to begin her cool down. She had returned to running after her parents’ death, and still found comfort in the meditative practice.

Pulling her ear buds out, Regan draped the thin black wire over the back of her neck as she walked up on the porch to the Last Stop. She needed some coffee, and if they had it, a bagel.

“Good morning.” Regan smiled as she entered the small restaurant to find Lily behind the counter. A middle age, heavyset man Regan hadn’t seen before stood at the grill, with his back to the restaurant. The only diner was an elderly man sitting in one of three booths near the back of the restaurant, an El Paso Times in his hands.

“Morning.” The dark haired woman managed a weak smile without making eye contact with Regan as she wiped down the front counter with a white towel. “Would you like a menu?”

Hopping up on a stool, Regan shook her head. “No need. Can I wrangle a coffee to go?” She scanned the back counter for signs of bagels. “Do you have bagels?”

Lily looked up at Regan apologetically. “I’m sorry, no. I can make you some toast.”

Regan thought the worried expression on the woman’s face seemed disproportional, and she wanted to reassure her life would go on without bagels and cream cheese. “Toast would be even better. Thanks.”

Pulling her iPhone from the black armband around her right bicep, Regan frowned. Her cell phone service had been spotty since she passed through Fort Stockton, and had not improved since arriving in Howell. She realized she was going to have to keep up with emails and Facebook while at the observatory; otherwise, she was practically off the grid in the small town.

Hearing the hinges on the front door creak, Regan looked up from her phone to see Trent Sexton and two other men coming into the restaurant. The three were dressed in nearly identical outfits, all in faded jeans and long sleeve brown western shirts.

“Lily, three coffees and some eggs.” The three men walked past Regan without a word, their boots making a dull thudding sound on the restaurant’s wood floor. “Henry, how the hell are you?” Trent and his companions sat down in the booth with the elderly man, and the four began a conversation Regan couldn’t hear.

“Here’s your coffee and toast.” Lily slid a paper cup across the counter to Regan, accompanied by a small pastry box. “I put butter and some jams in there.” She looked intently at the counter. “I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I gave you an assortment.”

Regan was touched the woman had taken the initiative on her behalf. She unzipped the small runner’s wallet she had velcroed to her left wrist, pulling a ten dollar bill free from behind her ID.

“It’s on the house.” Lily looked up at Regan, her light blues eyes sparkling as she smiled at the woman. “I’m taking it out of the twenty you gave me the other day.”

Regan shook her head. “Don’t be silly. That was a tip for not forcing me to eat a protein bar and bottled water for dinner.” She laid the ten dollar bill on the counter, and grabbed the coffee and toast. “See you later.” Without thinking, she winked at the woman, who immediately flushed a bright shade of red and turned her attention to the back counter.

Regan’s hand was on the door, when she thought better of it. Turning around, she walked back to the counter.

“Did you need something else?” Lily asked.

“Actually, I was hoping you could recommend someplace to run around here.” Regan glanced down at her navy blue running shorts and gray V-neck t-shirt. “I try to do at least six miles a day, but this morning’s run was -” Regan hesitated, she didn’t want to insult the woman.

“Boring?” Lily smiled.

Regan rubbed the back of her neck. “I wasn’t going to say it.”

Lily folded the white towel, and laid it to her right on the counter. “I won’t be offended. Why would a boring town offer an enthralling run?”

Regan smiled at the woman, amazed at how gorgeous she was. “Right - I mean exactly.”

The two women looked at each other for several seconds, Regan’s heart pounding in her ears as she hoped her face wasn’t as red as it felt.

“I don’t run, but I like to hike.” Lily reached in the back pocket of her jeans, pulled her order pad out, and removed the pen from behind her left ear. “I’ll write some nearby trails down for you.” Shrugging, she wrote quickly on the pad. “I don’t know if hiking trails make for good running trails, but it’s better scenery than the highway.” She tore the piece of paper free of the pad, and handed it to Regan with a broad smile. Then she nervously glanced at her brother, and her expression changed.

Looking over her shoulder, Regan could see Trent and the other men were still talking, paying them no attention. Taking the paper, Regan smiled back at the woman. The sensation in her chest reminded her of how a high school crush felt, euphoric and heady. “Thanks.”

Stepping away, Regan’s progress came to an abrupt halt as she backed into the door. Awkwardly, she managed to open the door, and exit the restaurant. Standing on the sidewalk, Regan didn’t know if the late morning heat or her encounter with Lily was causing her rise in temperature.

Walking toward her apartment, Regan unfolded the piece of paper Lily had given her. Stopping, she turned back and looked toward the restaurant, a huge grin on her face. Not only had Lily written down three nearby trails, but she had conveniently included her own hiking schedule.

Nearly skipping back to her room, Regan was resigned to coincidently run into the beautiful woman.

***

Following the ranch to market road south out of Howell, Regan looked at her watch. It was nearly eight in the morning. She had overslept, after not getting home from the observatory the night before until two in the morning. Now, she felt certain she would miss Lily at the trail head near Cathedral Peak.

The peak was part of the Chinati Mountains and sat on the outskirts of the Chinati Mountain State Park. The mountain itself was a little over forty five hundred feet in elevation, and based on Regan’s research while at the observatory, offered a myriad of trails around its base.

Pulling off the paved road, Regan parked in a small dirt lot occupied by two trucks. She got out of the van and scanned the area for Lily. Not seeing the woman, her shoulders slumped and she silently berated herself for being tardy.

Strapping the armband with her iPhone in it around her arm, Regan plugged her ear buds in. The trails were rated a moderate difficulty so she anticipated a brisk run, and hoped it would help with her frustrations over missing Lily.

Jogging onto the trail, Regan was surprised at how disappointed she was with not seeing the beautiful woman. After all, she hardly knew her. If she were honest with herself, though, it had less to do with Lily than Regan’s general feelings of isolation since arriving in the remote area.

She had maintained a small but intimate group of friends throughout her years in college, and was missing them, in addition to all the flexibility and variety living in a larger city afforded her. With the exception of her occasional exchanges with Lily, and seeing Jason at the observatory, her social interactions since arriving in Howell two weeks ago had been rendered nearly non-existent.

Rounding a bend, and increasing her speed to traverse a slight incline, Regan was resolved not to throw herself at a practical stranger. She reasoned she had little to nothing in common with Lily, and loneliness wasn’t an excuse for throwing herself at someone.

“Regan!” The sound of Lily’s voice broke through Imagine Dragons’ Demons, causing Regan to stop and scan the area. Lily was descending from above Regan on the trail, a broad smile on her lips.

Regan pulled her ear buds out, and took several deep breaths. Not only had she been moving at a fairly quick pace, but seeing Lily in a pair of slim fitted tan shorts, and a snug white tank top caused her breath to catch.

“Hey, Lily. Fancy meeting you here.” Regan wiped at the sweat on her forehead with the back of her hand.

Lily’s eyes narrowed. “Really? Because I wrote down when I was coming.”

Regan winced. “Right. I meant since I missed you at the trail head - it, it’s cool that we ran into each other anyway.”

Lily nodded, a slight smirk on her face. “I see.” She looked around, and then back at Regan. “So, better than the highway?”

Regan nodded. “Absolutely. Thanks for recommending it.”

Lily smiled, and the two women looked at each other for several awkward seconds before Regan managed to speak. “Are you heading back down?”

“Yes. I have to be at the restaurant by ten, and need time to get showered.”

Regan hoped her disappointment wasn’t too obvious. “Sorry I was late.”

Shaking her head, Lily walked past Regan. “No apologies needed. We didn’t have anything official on the books.”

Regan looked up the trail, and then back down at the retreating woman before deciding she could run any day, but the opportunity to see Lily outside of the Last Stop was rare.

Taking several quick strides, Regan caught up to Lily. “I’ll walk down with you.”

Looking at the ground as she walked, Lily frowned. “Were you done with your run?”

Regan shrugged, and in spite of her resolve from only moments ago, said what she was thinking. “I’d prefer your company.”

There was a slight stutter in the dark haired woman’s step, but she didn’t say anything as the two continued down the trail.

“You work at the observatory?” Lily asked as they came around the last curve before returning to the parking lot.

“I’m there for two months, and then I’m going back to College Station to finish my dissertation, and god willing, they’ll give me my doctorate.”

“What are you looking for?” The woman stopped, and looked at Regan, her light blue eyes intense and focused.

Regan’s mind went blank as she tried to concentrate on the conversation, and not the contours of Lily’s neck and collar bone. “Dark matter.”

“What’s that?” The woman began to walk again, Regan falling in next to her.

“It’s matter you can’t see.”

“Then how do you know it’s there?” Lily asked as she chewed nervously on the inside of her lower lip.

“That’s an excellent question.”

The two reached the edge of the parking lot, and Lily turned to face Regan.  “Do you have an excellent answer?” The woman joked.

Regan laughed, and hoped she wasn’t about to sound too much like a nerd. “There is a lot of space out there.” The woman pointed to the sky. “So planets and stars and comets and all of that are spread out.” She pulled her hands apart to demonstrate, and was pleased to see the grin on Lily’s face.

“But the way the objects act - specifically react to each other - isn’t proportional to their gravitational pull in relation to their distance from each other.” Regan paused, worried she had just crossed the nerd line, but seeing the interested look on Lily’s face, continued.

“So it’s been hypothesized there is something between the objects. Something that isn’t reactant to light, but we know is there by how it affects the objects around it.”

Lily nodded as the corner of her mouth turned up slightly. “That’s kinda of - well, sad.”

Regan cocked her head to the side. “How do you mean?”

Looking down, Lily kicked at the dirt with the toe of her hiking boot. “Something you only know is there by the impact it has on the things around it.” She looked up at Regan. “It’s like saying someone only exists because you react to them.”

Regan nodded. “I hadn’t thought of it like that, but yeah, kind of tragic.”

“You should teach.” Lily smiled. “You clearly enjoy the subject, and have a knack for explaining what I guess is a pretty complicated topic - even to us simpletons.”

Regan scoffed. “I wouldn’t describe you as a simpleton. I’ve considered teaching, but the research field is more lucrative.”

“I wouldn’t think anyone would go into astronomy for the money.” The dark haired woman looked suspiciously at Regan.

Shrugging, Regan looked down. “Good point. The truth is I have an opportunity to work at an observatory in the Canary Islands after this, and depending on how that goes, I’ll see.”

“I’ve always thought the way lives are structured - especially careers - is odd. We’re asked to dedicate ourselves to one path when there are so many roads ahead.” Lily shook her head. “How can we possibly know the right one?”

The woman looked off in the distance, and Regan thought there was more she wanted to say. Instead, though, Lily turned her head back to the woman in front of her. “Two months then, and you’re leaving?”

The sadness in Lily’s voice caught Regan off guard and she could only manage a slight nod of her head in response. Lily sighed, and walked toward the dark blue Ford truck parked next to Regan’s van.

“Wait up.” Regan trotted after the woman. “Do you want to do something sometime? Maybe dinner in Marfa?” In spite of its small size, the town was likened to Austin with its unique eateries and galleries. It was also home to the Hotel Paisano, the location where the 1956 movie Giant was filmed.

Lily pulled her truck keys out of her front pocket, and unlocked the driver’s door. “I’m pretty busy with the restaurant.” She got into the truck, rolled the window down, and then shut the door. “I usually only get two mornings a week off.”

Regan put her hands on the window frame, trying not to sound too eager. “Last Stop closes at six. We can be to Marfa by seven.”

“I can’t.” Lily started the truck. “Thanks anyway.” Putting the truck in reverse, she rolled back slowly, giving a confused Regan a chance to step back.

Watching the truck disappear down the nearly deserted road, Regan couldn’t get a grip on Lily. She seemed interested in, at the very least, a friendship, but then refused a dinner invitation that would have afforded them more time to get to know each other.

Deciding to finish her run, Regan jogged back onto the trail, wondering if there was something to Trent’s warning about getting too attached.

***

It never ceased to amaze Regan how completely dark the West Texas night sky was. Hundreds of miles from any large urban area, and nearly a hundred miles from the nearest mid-sized town, meant driving the state highway between the observatory and Howell was like being in a giant kaleidoscope. The stars were incredibly vivid, shifting, and seemed to go on forever.

The vastness of the sky, even as a child, had always made her feel calmly insignificant. She took comfort in knowing there was so much beyond her, and an almost infinite space that would go on long after she - and the Earth - were gone.

It was nearly three in the morning, and Regan wished she had just continued the nap she had started at her desk at the observatory an hour ago. Though still convinced not staying on site was the best decision, she had grown tired of the forty mile round trip four times a week.

She was imagining a hot shower, and slipping into her bed when she caught movement to her left. A split second later something darted in front of her van. Regan swerved, the passenger side tires hitting the rocky edge of the shoulder. Regan barely managed to steer the van back onto the road before bringing the vehicle to a full stop.

Taking several deep breaths, Regan’s hands shook as she reached behind the driver’s seat to retrieve her flashlight. Pulling the hazard light switch, she opened the door and stepped out onto the deserted road.

It was a first quarter moon, and that, along with the glow from the van’s headlights and flashers, cast the surrounding plains in dimly lit shadows. Low lying shrubs and rocks took on eerie shapes, and Regan strained her eyes trying to focus, worried one of them might be the animal she nearly hit.

Though the darkness was not absolute, the silence was. The crunch of gravel under Regan’s feet as she walked to the passenger side of the van was exaggerated in the stillness.

“Shit.” Focusing the flashlight on the front passenger side tire, the woman was dismayed to see it was shredded. She was still five miles outside of Howell, and the prospect of walking in the dark didn’t appeal to her.

She was going to have to change the tire herself. Walking to the front of the van, she flipped the latch on the spare tire case that was mounted to the front grill of the vehicle.

Tucking the flashlight in her back pocket, she lifted the thirty pound tire up and out of its compartment. Rolling it to the side of the van, she underwent the arduous task of changing the tire. Pressing the Indigo button on her watch, she was pleased the process had taken her less than twenty minutes.

As she lifted the damaged tire into the case, the sound of scratching on the rocky edge of the road came from behind her. Turning around, she could see something was moving twenty yards off the road, and just beyond her line of sight. It looked like some sort of large dog or wolf.

The gray wolf had once been prevalent in the West Texas desert, but Regan had read it had all but vanished over the last thirty years. So her brain told her the odds of a wolf staring back at her in the darkness were slim to none.

Her mind raced, and she remembered the numerous warnings of mountain lion sightings since she had arrived three weeks ago. Grabbing the flashlight, she scanned the area. She was suspicious a lion would be bold enough to come up on a vehicle, but she had read reports of the animals absconding with campers’ pets, and in one case, a small girl left unattended near a rest stop.

Her back against the van, she moved along the vehicle. Regan shined the beam of the flashlight out into the darkness, the scratching sound still filling the silent night.

Regan slowly became aware of a loud pounding sound, and realized it was the sound of her own heart beating rapidly in her ears. “Go on!” She yelled into the night. “Get out of here!” She waved her arms in the air, and tried to make herself look larger by spreading her legs shoulder width apart as she gestured.

A low growl came from the darkness, triggering a shot of cold fear up Regan’s spine. Her arms were frozen over her head as her eyes tried desperately to see what was making the menacing sound. The scratching sound multiplied and the growling now surrounded her.

Oh god, they’re circling me.

Regan’s legs were shaking as she reached to her side, trying to find the passenger door handle. A burning sensation skittered across her left side as she found herself face down next to the van. Scrambling to her knees, a massive weight crashed into her, and she tumbled backwards down the shoulder of the road.

Landing on her back, her head struck a small rock. Her eyes flew open, and for a split second the magnificent spance of starry night sky drowned out the terror gripping her. Sitting up, a spike of pain shot through her head. Regan was vaguely aware the growling had escalated to what sounded like dogs fighting as barks, howls, snarls, and yelps echoed in the distance.

Her flashlight had come to rest several yards away, and its beam of light caught the darting of gray figures to Regan’s left. Then, as if time slowed, one of the figures stepped into the light, and Regan gasped.

A gray wolf at least five feet long, was standing staring at Regan, its eyes glowing an iridescent yellow. Time skipped forward, and in a blink of an eye the animal lunged toward Regan. Instead of attacking her, though, the wolf tackled one of its brethren to the ground as a second wolf came toward Regan from behind.

Scrambling to her feet, Regan was confused by how slowly her legs were responding to her command to run. The air seemed thick as she struggled up the embankment and onto the road. Shaking her head side to side in an effort to clear it, she immediately regretted the action as a stabbing pain ran between her temples, triggering a wave of nausea.

Regan pulled herself into the van, still stifling the urge to vomit. She started the engine and focused all of her remaining energy on getting herself safely home.

Ten minutes later, Regan pulled up in front of the camping store, and stumbled into the shop and up the stairs to her room. After locking the door, she collapsed on the bed, the room spinning around her.

In a moment of lucidity, she realized she must have a concussion from the fall, and forced herself into a seated position on the bed. Regan stood, and reaching the kitchen sink, splashed water on her face. Running her hand along the back of her head, she was relieved to find no blood.

Regan retrieved her phone out of her back pocket, and placed it on the counter before beginning to strip off her shoes, shorts, t-shirt, and undergarments. Walking to the shower, she turned it on, allowing the water to run cold before she stepped into it.

Shivering, she forced her head under the water, and her thinking immediately felt clearer. Bracing her hands on the sides of the stall, she let the water cascade over her head and down her back, the fear from earlier lessening.

Regan refused to acknowledge how significant the peril she had been in was. She intrinsically knew, though, she could have been fated for something far worse than the cuts and bruises that peppered her legs and arms.

***

A loud pounding broke through the fog of sleep as Regan rolled over on her side. Her mouth felt like dry cotton, and though she rarely drank, she imagined this was what a hangover felt like.

The brightness in the room told her it had to be past eight, and she wished it and the pounding would go away.

“Regan. Are you up?” Lily’s voice came from the other side of the door, and Regan thought she must be imagining it. In the three weeks since she had been in Howell, the dark haired woman had never even come into Vera’s store, much less up to Regan’s room.

“Regan?” The woman’s voice was verging on hysterical, and Regan’s muddled mind was having trouble figuring out why.

“Hold on.” Grabbing the side of her head, Regan cringed as the mere act of speaking triggered a blistering headache.

The knocking stopped as Regan slowly got out of bed. Looking down, she realized she hadn’t gotten dressed after her late night shower, and grabbed her red terry cloth robe from the foot of the bed before shuffling to the door.

Flipping the lock, she cracked the door to find Lily standing there. The woman was dressed in a pair of black runner’s shorts and a cobalt blue fitted t-shirt.

“I woke you.” The dark haired woman frowned.

Nodding, Regan stepped back, and gestured for the woman to come in. “No worries. I needed to get up.”

Lily came in and stood with her hands clasped in front of her. “I can come back.”

“No, no. Just be warned, I had a rough night, and might not be the sharpest tool this morning.” Regan walked to the kitchen and began prepping her French press for some much needed coffee.

“Are you okay?” The concern in the woman’s voice caused Regan to pause before plugging in her electric kettle.

“I nearly hit a wolf driving back last night, and then I got a flat.” Regan didn’t want to tell the woman about the growling pack, or how it seemed like the one wolf had saved her. She wasn’t sure what had happened versus what the blow to her head had triggered.

“Jesus. Were you hurt?” Lily stepped toward Regan, but then seemed to think better of it, and continued to linger near the door.

“Peachy.” Regan poured the ground coffee into the French press, and flipped the electric kettle on. “Coffee?” She looked at Lily who stood quietly near the door. “Oh, sorry, did you need something?” Regan walked across the room, and sat on the edge of the bed.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” The woman now stood in front of Regan.

Running her fingers through her tussled hair, Regan yawned. “Evidently.”

“I thought we could go for a hike, but it looks like you need to rest.” Lily knelt on her haunches in front of Regan. Even in her slightly dazed state, Regan couldn’t help but notice the woman’s perfectly shaped legs.

“Can you give me a half hour, and I can meet you downstairs?” No matter how crappy she felt, Regan wasn’t going to skip an opportunity to see Lily.

Smiling, the woman stood. “Sure. Come to the restaurant.” She walked toward the door, and before leaving, turned to Regan. “I’m glad they didn’t hurt you.”

Regan’s brain was moving slower than usual, and it wasn’t until she was pouring her coffee nearly five minutes later that Lily’s comment struck her as strange. They?

Shaking her head, Regan took a sip of coffee. The hot bitter liquid coated her throat, and brought a smile to her face. Certain she was reading too much into Lily’s unexpected visit and odd comment, Regan began getting dressed.

Grabbing a banana, and bottled water, Regan was feeling more like herself as she trotted down the stairs.

“Good morning, Vera.”

The leathery old woman stood behind the counter with a cigarette in her hand. “Sure. Why not.” She took a long drag from the Lucky Strike, and Regan gladly hustled out of the stifling stench.

The brightness of the day helped to further clear Regan’s head as she walked the short distance to the Last Stop. Lily was standing on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant with her brother Trent, who was standing close to his sister, his head bowed as he whispered something in her ear.

The woman pulled her head back as if shocked by what the man was saying. Then seeing Regan approaching, she took a step back.

Trent followed his sister’s gaze, and turned to face Regan as she approached. “Regan. How are you this morning?”

Regan looked back and forth between the siblings, an obvious tension radiating from them both. “I’m good. How are you?” She didn’t think much of the man, but had found rudeness rarely helped a situation.

“I can’t complain.” He took a step towards Regan, the tip of his tongue darting across his lower lip. The smell of licorice and whiskey was radiating off of him. “Lily tells me you two are going hiking this morning.”

Regan looked over the man’s shoulder at a silent Lily. “Seems so.”

She wasn’t sure what the man was getting at, but his tone verged on lascivious and her indifference to him was rapidly turning to outright dislike.

“Well, you two be careful.” He looked off into the distance toward the Chinati Mountains. “All kinds of wild animals are out and about.”

Backing away from the two women, he looked at Lily. “Be back by dusk - please.” Winking at Regan, he turned and meandered down the sidewalk.

“Ready?” Lily stepped next to Regan.

“Ah, don’t take this the wrong way, but your brother is a bit - odd.” What Regan wanted to say was creepy and verging on lecherous, but she knew better. Though she was an only child, she knew siblings could be vicious in their critiques of one another, but rarely took kindly to a third party’s criticism.

“He’s an asshole, Regan, but thank you for not saying that.” Lily exhaled. “Shall we?” She nodded toward her truck parked on the street. “I’m happy to drive.”

Regan couldn’t help but smile at the woman’s candor, and felt the threads of her attraction to the beauty strengthening.

***

“Where are we going?” Regan looked out the passenger window as the mountains faded in the distance.

“You mentioned dinner in Marfa, but I thought we could do an early lunch instead.” Lily looked at Regan and smiled. “Is that technically brunch?”

Laughing, Regan leaned her head back against the headrest, her headache from earlier lingering. “If there’s fruit and a mimosa, then we are definitely in the clutches of a brunch.” Looking down at her baggy running shorts and loose fitting Texas A&M t-shirt, the woman felt both elated, and a little awkward. “Is there a dress code?”

Running her fingers through her short locks, Lily chuckled. “It’s Marfa.”

Regan nodded, and leaning her elbow on the window seal, closed her eyes. She took a deep breath, and was relieved that her crappy night was turning into a great day.

“What are you thinking?” Lily asked as she glanced over at Regan.

“Nothing really. Just enjoying the drive.”

“Why aren’t you staying at Addison? Don’t most researchers live on site?”

Regan nodded. “I opted not to live in a dorm room with three men.” She cringed. “Just didn’t feel right.”

Lily huffed. “I understand.”

Regan’s brow arched as she studying the woman’s profile. “Where do you live?”

Lily rolled her eyes. “Sadly, with my brother. Our parents died several years ago, and left us the family ranch and restaurant.”

“I’m sorry.” The sting of her own loss caused a well of compassion to spring up, and Regan fought not to cry as she remembered her own parents’ death. “Is Trent your only family then?”

Lily’s brow furrowed as she looked at Regan, the brunette’s distress obvious. “Ah, yes.” Hesitating, Lily refocused her attention on the road. “Are you okay?”

Regan nodded. “Perfect.” She wasn’t ready to have an emotional outpouring with a practical stranger. It wasn’t that she didn’t talk about her parents, but she generally made a point to prepare emotionally for the exchanges. Today, with Lily, she hadn’t imagined the topic would come up.

Sensing a subject change was in order, Regan looked at Lily with a glint in her eye. “So small town aside, what is up with Vera?”

Lily laughed.  The sound filled the truck cab, and triggered a surge of heat to Regan’s stomach. “Christ, Vera. She’s - well, different.”

“And cranky, and smoke laden and - cranky.” Regan teased.

Nodding, Lily shrugged. “I can’t argue with you. She’s lived in Howell since god was a boy, and I’m not sure she even knows about all the Surgeon General warnings.” The woman winced. “Or she just doesn’t care.”

“I vote for that one.” Regan was enjoying the casual banter with Lily, and realized how much she was missing her life back in East Texas.

“Do you hate the town?” Lily’s tone shifted slightly, and she seemed more serious.

Regan thought about the question, and answered honestly. “I don’t care for the town, but I’m developing a deep affinity for some of the people.”

Lily looked at Regan, and then back at the road, a smile on her face.

They drove the rest of the way with comfortable silences interspersed with casual conversation. Regan was pleasantly surprised how easily they were able to talk about an assortment of topics, and if she hadn’t kept reminding herself, she could have imagined this was a date.

“Squeeze?” Regan looked at the small wood sign hanging on the side of what was clearly a renovated house from the 1930s.

Turning the truck off, Lily smiled. “Yep. Best croissants in the county.”

Regan looked suspiciously at the woman. “Considering the county and the low population -”

“Poor choice of words.” Lily interjected as she got out of the truck. “But they do have really good pastries.”

Regan slid out of the truck, and watched as Lily walked toward a small wooden gate. The entrance to the restaurant was through what had been the narrow backyard of the house. It was now lined with several maple trees, and a cluster of wrought iron tables and chairs.

“Are you coming?” Lily held the wood gate open, gesturing for Regan to go through.

Without a word, Regan grinned at the beautiful woman, and walked through the gate and up two steps into the restaurant. The interior was decorated with eclectic paintings and photographs clearly done by local artists.

Each room of the house had been painted a unique color, adding flair and texture to the rooms. Scanning the restaurant, Regan looked at Lily. “You know, in spite of the small space, I don’t feel squeezed in Squeeze.”

Before Lily could respond to Regan’s cheesy attempt at humor, a young woman with short brown hair, wearing a pair of green plaid seer sucker shorts, and a mint green t-shirt appeared behind the oak counter near the register.

“We have never had anyone make that joke before.” She smiled broadly at Regan as she handed her and Lily menus.

“I try to keep my comedy fresh.” Regan quipped.

“Mission accomplished.” The woman was clearly flirting, and Regan couldn’t help but play along.

Looking at Regan’s shirt, the woman shook her head. “Oh, an Aggie.”

Glancing down, Regan shrugged. “Family tradition.”

“What brings you to Marfa?” The woman asked, her green eyes accented by the green in her shirt.

“I’m doing work at Addison Observatory, and -” Regan looked at Lily and smiled. “My friend lives in Howell and was kind enough to bring me into the big city.”

The woman barely glanced at Lily, and Regan’s attitude toward her shifted in a surprising way. She was rarely one to take offense on someone else’s behalf, but regardless of how cute the waitress was, her dismissive attitude toward Lily verged on rude.

“Well, welcome.”

Regan nodded. “Can we sit anywhere?” Looking around, there were five wood tables throughout the restaurant, two taken by other groups.

The corners of the waitress’ mouth turned down slightly as she caught the shift in Regan’s tone. “Anywhere is fine.”

Regan smiled politely as she and Lily made their way to one of the tables near the back of the restaurant.

“She seemed nice.” Lily commented without looking up from the menu.

“You know what they say about small town hospitality.”

Shaking her head, Lily looked over the top of her menu. “No, what?”

Regan chuckled. “I don’t actually know, but I’m sure that wasn’t it.”

The waitress came to their table with two waters and an exaggerated smile. “Have y’all decided or do you need more time?”

“I’m ready, are you?” Lily looked expectantly at Regan.

“Sure. Ah, let me have the ham and egg croissant sandwich, please.”

Lily ordered the same, and a French press for her and Regan to share.

“She was flirting with you.” Lily took a drink of her water.

“Are you asking me or telling me?” Regan wasn’t sure where the conversation was headed, but it felt like it might be leaning toward perilous.

Sitting back in her chair, Lily glanced at the waitress who was refilling drinks at an adjacent table. “She’s pretty.”

“Yes.” Regan wasn’t sure what else to say. The reality was she had just assumed, based on relatively limited interaction with Lily, that she was gay, but she didn’t actually know, and wasn’t sure how to broach the subject.

“Have you been with many women?” Lily’s frank question caused Regan to nearly spit her water out.

Wiping at her chin with a paper napkin, Regan was struggling to make eye contact with the woman across from her. Again, this was not a conversation she had imagined happening today. “Many can be a relative term.” Chicken shit response, Andrews.

“Wow.” Lily’s eyes widened.

“What?” Regan felt her stomach tighten.

“That was the worst answer ever.” Lily’s serious expression lightened, and a mischievous grin found its way to her lips.

Regan felt the breath enter her lungs again. “I’ve dated three women seriously since I was nineteen, lived with one of them during my master’s work. Two one night stands, and a handful of first dates that never became seconds.” Taking a big gulp of water, Regan forced herself to look directly at Lily. “And you?”

Without hesitation the beautiful dark haired woman smiled. “Nothing serious. Few dates, and a couple flings.”

“Well, there you go.” Regan wasn’t sure what else to say, and didn’t want the conversation to devolve into a reminiscence of ex-girlfriends.

Lily looked intently at Regan, her eyes moving from the woman’s mouth to her light brown eyes. “Yeah, there you go.”

Both women smiled knowingly at each other as the waitress returned to their table. “Your coffee.”

***

“This is your house?” Regan was standing in the middle of a large courtyard, complete with a stone fountain, and a variety of indigenous flowers and plants.

“It’s the guest house. Trent lives in the main house.” Lily walked across the courtyard, through a large white stucco arch into the house. “Do you want something to drink?”

Regan followed the other woman, amazed at how beautiful the home was. Traditional Southwest décor ran throughout the two bedroom house, the floor was terracotta tile, and the ceilings were lined with exposed cedar beams.

Lily opened a large stainless steel refrigerator that sat along the far wall of the kitchen. The room opened into the larger living area, and its counters were rose granite accented with light ash cabinets.

“I have water, beer, wine -” She looked back at a stunned Regan. “What is it?”

Regan didn’t want to offend Lily, but this house was the last thing she expected, given the woman’s unassuming appearance. “I wasn’t -”

Lily closed the refrigerator. “My parents owned most of the land around Howell, and most of Howell for that matter. When they died, Trent sold a good chunk of the land, but we kept the houses.” The dark haired woman frowned. “Is this a problem?”

Regan shook her head. “Not at all. It’s not what I imagined, so my brain is catching up.” Seeing the perplexed look on Lily’s face, Regan continued. “I love the house.”

Lily smiled. “Thank you. Drink?”

“Water, please.” Regan turned and walked into the living room. Sitting on the light brown leather sofa, she hoped the easiness Lily and she had shared throughout the day wasn’t gone.

Lily handed Regan a bottle of water, and sat on the sofa next to her. “You grew up in Austin?”

Nodding, Regan took a quick sip of her water. “I did. My parents had a house near Lake Travis.”

“Had?” Lily’s brow arched. “Have they moved?”

Regan hesitated, but thought now was as good a time as any to broach the subject of her parents’ death. “Both my parents were killed in a car accident about four years ago.”

Lily reached across the sofa and took Regan’s hand. Surprised by the sudden display of affection, Regan’s eyes filled with tears.

“What happened?” The concerned woman slid closer to Regan.

The moment suddenly felt very intimate, and left Regan feeling vulnerable. She shifted nervously. “They were driving back to Austin, and a truck hit them. They died instantly.” An errant tear streamed down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away.

Without a word, Lily closed the space between them, and pulled Regan into a tight embrace. Placing her hand on the back of the woman’s neck, she wrapped her arm around Regan’s shoulders. “I’m so sorry, Regan.”

Regan had been comforted countless times over her parents, but she couldn’t recall ever feeling so viscerally affected as she was by the nearness of Lily and the soothing sound of her voice near Regan’s ear.

Before she could think better of it, Regan turned her head, the warmth of her lips meeting the heat of Lily’s skin. A quiet moan escaped the woman as Regan gently kissed along the length of her neck.

Standing, Lily pulled Regan to her feet, and taking her hand, led her through the house and into the master bedroom. Like the rest of the house, the ceiling of the room was lined with exposed cedar beams. A queen size wooden frame bed sat against the far wall, with a rose color quilt draped over it.

Lily shut the door. With the late afternoon light filtering through the large curtained casement windows that lined the eastern side of the house, the room was cloaked in hues of orange and yellow.

Regan turned, and was immediately pulled into Lily’s embrace. Pinning Regan against the wall, Lily’s mouth hungrily devoured the woman’s neck and shoulders. Catching her breath, Regan pushed Lily back by the shoulders, then stood panting, only a few feet separating them.

Regan took deep breaths, the scent of sage and citrus assaulting her senses. She felt a tightening in her abdomen as a flush of heat and desire surged through her. Lily quickly pulled her shorts and shirt off. Regan followed suit, and the two women embraced again.

Regan gasped as the full length of Lily’s body came into contact with hers. Their mouths met in a series of desperate and hungry kisses as they nipped and bit at one another. Regan was surprised at how desperately her body wanted and needed the nearness of the woman pressed to her.

Lily lowered Regan to the floor and straddled her. Grabbing Regan’s hand, she pushed it against her groin. Regan moaned and thrust two fingers into Lily, who leaned over Regan licking her breasts. The woman’s warm, wet mouth slowly and deliberately sucked and pulled at the taut flesh.

Lily tightened around Regan’s fingers, and Regan breathed deep, her own desire growing as she spurred the woman on top of her towards the edge. Lily rocked her hips in unison with Regan’s thrusts, her movements growing more forceful as her climax neared.

Lily hissed as the orgasm vibrated through her. She pushed down harder against Regan’s hand, prolonging the spasms. Lily collapsed forward, with her hands on either side of Regan’s head, and her breath coming in short bursts as a thin layer of sweat glistened along her body.

Sitting up, Lily crouched over Regan’s knees as she ran her hands eagerly down the woman’s body. Regan shifted, and spread her legs so Lily could kneel between them. Lowering her head, Lily ran her tongue in small circles around Regan’s clit before entering her with one and then two fingers.

Lily thrust her fingers in unison with her tongue. Regan cried out, Lily’s climax moments ago hastening her own. Spreading her legs to afford Lily more access, Regan lifted her hips up as she grabbed the back of Lily’s head, pushing her further into her as a second orgasm tore through her.

Short electrical pulses shot through Regan. Her fingers tangled in Lily’s short locks, as she gently pulled the woman up. Finding her mouth, Regan kissed her deeply as they shifted, and Lily stretched out alongside Regan.

Both women were breathing heavily as they lay on the floor. After several minutes, Lily, resting her head on her hand, looked down at Regan, and running her tongue over her lower lip, looked up at the bed. “Should we give the bed a go?”

Regan grinned, her mind still in a post-coital haze. “Absolutely.”

***

Regan bounded up the steps to her apartment. Her afternoon with Lily had left her feeling alive, excited, and hopeful.

“Regan.” Trent’s deep baritone voice startled the woman as she flipped the lights on in the small room.

“Trent? What the hell?!” Regan instinctively took a step back. Trent was on the edge of her bed with his legs crossed.

“Sorry about the intrusion -”

“It’s called breaking and entering.” Regan managed to sound more confident than she felt. Coming home to find a man in her room, specifically one she didn’t like, was not how she had imagined her otherwise perfect day ending.

“I own the building, so technically -” The man stood up. “Well, it doesn’t matter.” He bent over and casually straightened the quilt on Regan’s bed.

“What can I do for you, Trent?” Regan stayed close to the open door.

Turning to face the woman, the tall man smiled warmly. “It occurred to me that you’ve been in town nearly a month, and short of a few offhanded exchanges, we’ve never really talked.”

Regan’s eyes narrowed. She didn’t know what he was getting at, but his forced friendliness was making her uncomfortable. “Why don’t we have a coffee tomorrow morning, and - get to know each other.” She wanted desperately to get him out of her room.

Tisking, the man walked toward Regan. “I’ve offended you.”

“You startled me.” Regan asserted.

Shaking his head, Trent stepped into Regan’s personal space, the scent of licorice and whiskey wafting over her. “And what has my sister done to you?”

A rush of blood to Regan’s face caused the room to suddenly feel hot, and nearly stifling. “Ask her.” She had no interest in getting into the middle of a family feud, no matter how much she liked Lily.

The casual smile on Trent’s face vanished, and his light blue eyes went flat. “I’m asking you.”

Regan stepped to the side, gesturing toward the open door. “I think you should leave.” Her heart thudded in her ears, and she felt the muscles in her back and legs tighten, ready to run if the man refused to leave.

After several excruciating seconds, Trent’s shoulders relaxed, and he clapped his hands together. “It was nice visiting with you, and I look forward to having that coffee.”

He walked passed Regan, intentionally brushing his shoulder against hers. Then he was gone, and Regan barely managed to lock the door and make it to her bed before her legs gave out. Jesus. He’s a psycho.

She wasn’t sure what to do. Clearly the man had access to the room, a thought that made her stomach sour with dread. She needed to tell Lily. Based on their conversations it was clear she was aware of her brother’s issues, even if she didn’t realize their extent.

Sitting up, Regan looked at her watch. It was nearly sundown. Lily would still be at her house, and hopefully Trent wouldn’t be. Worst case, if he was, the two siblings could hash it out, and hopefully leave Regan out of it.

Pacing back and forth, Regan chewed nervously on her right thumb nail. She had to think about how to broach the subject with Lily. Though the day she had spent with Lily had been wonderful, she still really didn’t know much about the beautiful woman – let alone her family dynamic with her brother.  Regan wasn’t sure if Lily would even be able to do anything.

Realizing her keys were still in her hand, Regan laid them down on the bed, and then quickly changed into a pair of gray shorts and a navy blue tank top. Running a brush through her hair, she grabbed her keys and headed downstairs. The futility of locking her room door irritated her further.

The sun had set by the time she reached the Sexton ranch, and she flipped the van’s headlights on as the vehicle rattled over the metal cattle guard at the gate.

A half mile later, Regan carefully scanned the areas around Lily’s house and the main one. The only vehicle she saw was Lily’s blue truck. Pulling alongside of it, Regan parked the van and pulled the emergency break.

Taking a deep breath, she got out of the van and walked up the stone walkway to the house. Her palms were sweating and she felt sick to her stomach. She liked Lily a lot, and didn’t want this to come between them, even if there was only going to be a them for the next month.

“Regan?” Lily asked hesitantly as she opened her front door. Reaching her hand out, Lily slowly pulled Regan into the house, shutting the door behind them. “What is it?” She gently stroked the brunette’s hair.

In spite of the reason for the visit, Regan couldn’t help but smile at Lily. The memory of their morning and afternoon together brought a surge of warmth and tenderness to her face.

“It’s a little hard to explain.” Regan looked past Lily, concerned Trent might be there. Seeing the house was empty, she looked at the concerned woman. “Can we sit?”

Lily nodded, and the two women walked into the living room, and sat next to each other on the leather sofa.

After several moments of silence, Lily cupped Regan’s cheek with her warm hand. “What’s going on?”

Unable to resist, Regan turned her lips to the beautiful woman’s palm before speaking. “I went back to my room today, and your brother was there. Actually in my room.”

Lily’s brow arched as she sat back on the sofa. “What did he say?”

The dark haired woman’s tone seemed almost resigned, and Regan was caught off guard by how casually she was behaving. “Well, for starters he wanted to know what was going on between you and me.”

Lily frowned. “What did you tell him?”

Driving over, Regan had imagined a half dozen ways the conversation might go. Lily’s matter-of-fact reaction had not been one of them. “I told him he should ask you.” Regan leaned away from Lily. “Look, I don’t want to be in the middle of anything with you two. I just don’t want him coming and going in my space whenever he feels like it.”

Lily nodded. “I’ll talk to him.”

Her mouth moved independent of her brain, and Regan heard the words being spoken before she could stop herself. “That’s it? You aren’t even a little - I don’t know, weirded-out that your brother was in my room?”

Lily stood, and turned her back to Regan as she spoke. “I’m sorry he scared you.”

Regan realized her frustration stemmed from her wanting Lily to be outraged on her behalf. She hadn’t known it until that moment, but regardless of how unrealistic it was, she needed Lily to care enough for her to standup to her brother. Feeling the disappointment that stemmed from Lily’s near apathy, Regan wanted to leave before she made a fool out of herself.

Standing, Regan managed to keep her tone even. “Thanks. I appreciate it.” Taking a step toward the door, she sighed. “I have to head back.”

Lily turned, and for a second Regan thought she saw a hint of worry cross her pale blue eyes, but as quickly as it was there, it vanished. “I’ll walk you to the door.”

The two women stood in the open doorway. Lily leaned in and quickly kissed Regan on the lips before stepping back. “Will you be in for breakfast tomorrow?”

Regan shrugged, the energy from earlier gone. “Probably. The dining options are limited.”

Lily hesitated and then nodded. “See you then.”

“Bye.” Regan walked back to her van, feelings of disappointment and confusion swirling in her.

It was after seven. The sky was dark, except for the moon that hung low in the eastern sky. Regan drove back toward Howell, irritated and hurt by her conversation with Lily. She knew it was foolish to expect a woman she hardly knew to trigger a family feud on her behalf. I’m going to be gone in a month. Did I really think she would risk her relationship with her brother for me?

Regan wiped at her tear streaked face with the back of her hand. No, but I wanted to matter enough to her that she would. She rolled her eyes at how pathetic she was, hating herself for becoming attached to Lily so quickly. You’re lonely and beyond tragic, Andrews. Get over it.

Pushing the van’s accelerator closer to the floor, Regan sped toward Howell, resolved to keep her head down and her heart protected until she could get back to her real life.

***

It had been over a week since Regan had talked to Lily. The morning after Lily’s decidedly lackluster response to her brother breaking into Regan’s room, Regan had gone to Hobb’s Market and stocked up on a variety of cereals, protein bars and sandwich fixings. She had resolved to minimize her interactions with Lily at the restaurant, and avoid her brother altogether.

Standing in the observatory’s small break room, Regan rubbed the back of her neck as she poured a third cup of coffee. Glancing up at the digital clock hanging on the wall, the bright red numbers told her it was after one in the morning.

Her mind felt sluggish, and she had been trying to calculate an adjustment to the facility’s low resolution mass spectrograph for over an hour. Returning to her desk, she took a drink of the bitter coffee and cringed, missing her French press back in Howell.

Looking at her scribblings from earlier, Regan began entering in a series of formulas to adjust the mass defect value of the spectrograph.

“Don’t forget to show your work.” Jason’s amused voice broke through Regan’s thin thread of concentration.

Looking up, the dazed woman rubbed her eyes. “That’s pretty unlikely tonight.” She leaned back in her chair, stretching her arms over her head.

“All kidding aside, what’s up?” Jason pulled a chair over, and sat down.

“I’m having resolution issues with the spectrograph, and I think it’s a calculation issue with the atmospheric height measurements.” Regan picked up her pencil and began jotting down formulas on a legal pad.

The man laughed. “I was only kidding about showing your work.”

Shrugging, Regan tossed the pencil down. “There’s no point anyway. I’m fried.”

Jason nodded. “I’ve noticed you’ve been coming in earlier - staying later.”

Smirking, Regan looked at him. “Then so have you.”

“Yeah, but I’m ridiculously dedicated.” Her co-worker grinned broadly. “You always struck me as someone with a life.”

Shaking her head, Regan rested her elbow on the desk. “Not in this neck of the woods, my friend. In case you haven’t noticed, we’re in the middle of f-ing nowhere.”

“A hazard of the trade.”

“Yeah.” Regan turned her attention back to her laptop.

Jason stood up, and then hesitated before moving the chair back. “I wonder if a night out wouldn’t do you some good?”

Regan glanced up, and seeing the man chewing nervously on his lower lip, felt a rush of embarrassment on both their parts. “Oh.” She closed the screen on her laptop, and gave her anxious colleague her undivided attention.

“Maybe a road trip into Marfa, or even Alpine? They have an independent baseball team that isn’t half bad. We could catch a game.” A slight smile found Jason’s lips as he looked hopefully at Regan.

Over the years, Regan had managed to gently disappoint several men with ambitions to date her, but Jason was the first colleague. The situation was even more risky since she had another three weeks working in proximity to him.

“Were you thinking a date or a friendly outing?” Regan had found getting straight to the point was best, and saved everyone confusion and heartache.

Jason’s eyes widened. “A date?”

Regan couldn’t help but smile at the man’s nervousness. She had been in his position many times when trying to work up the courage to ask a woman out. “I’m gay, so a friendly outing would be better for both of us.” She kept her tone light as she didn’t want Jason feeling uncomfortable. “Is that cool?”

There were several awkward seconds as Jason looked blankly at Regan. She had seen that look before. It was laden with self-doubt and confusion. He was more than likely wondering how he missed the fact she was a lesbian, and how he could be attracted to her.

“Friendly is good too. Not great, but good.” Jason smiled.

Regan nodded, confident any serious uncomfortableness had been avoided. “When’s the next game?”

“I’ll go check the schedule right now, and we can set something up.” He slid the chair back under the adjacent desk and hurried from the room.

Regan smiled. She had grown to like Jason over the past month. He was always a good conversationalist, and a pleasant distraction from the drudgery of research. In spite of the rather crappy week, she was looking forward to the change of pace and scenery.

***

The moon was full as Regan drove from the observatory back toward Howell. Jason and she had met there, gone to Alpine to see a very spirited game of baseball, and eaten their weight in hot dogs. As evenings went, this one hadn’t sucked.

She wasn’t tired at all, and knew the supply of books and magazines she had brought along with her was running low. The thought had occurred to her to stay at the observatory and work, but her energy felt more social than academic.

One possibility kept creeping into her head. Her route took her past Lily’s house, and she could see if the woman was home. They hadn’t parted on bad terms necessarily, just no terms really. The time and distance had lessened the sting of Lily’s behavior, and also given Regan some perspective.

She and the woman were friendly and clearly attracted to each other, but it wasn’t anything serious or long term. Lily didn’t owe Regan anything, and she had said she would talk to Trent about the intrusion. Since then, Regan hadn’t even seen the man around town, much less in her room.

Regan retrieved her cell phone from the passenger seat. She wanted to call Lily rather than just show up unannounced on her door step.

“Damn.” Regan tossed the phone back into the seat. As usual, she didn’t have a signal, and was now faced with a dilemma. She wanted to see Lily, but didn’t want to make the woman uncomfortable by just showing up.

Deciding worst case, Lily would ask her to leave, Regan slowed the van down. Turning onto the narrow road, she followed it back to Lily’s house. The woman’s truck was parked next to the guest house. Scanning the darkness, Regan didn’t see any other vehicles.

Turning the van off, Regan walked up the stone path to the front door. Knocking, she stepped back, sliding her hands into the pockets of her khaki shorts. After a minute, she knocked again. There was no answer, but the sound of grinding metal came from the side of the house.

Worried Lily had fallen, or someone was trying to get into her house, Regan followed the lighted path around the house. Two wooden cellar doors jutted out from the side of the house, with a thick metal rope chain wrapped around the door handles. Lifting the lock that secured the chain, Regan was confident no one was getting in the house through the cellar.

As she turned to walk back toward her van, the sound of someone struggling from the basement reached her. Stopping, she turned back toward the cellar doors. “Lily?” Turning her head to the side, she listened carefully, but the noise had stopped.

Crouching next to the doors, Regan knocked on the thick pine boards. “Is someone there?”

After several seconds of silence, Regan heard the unmistakable sound of a woman crying. Standing, she ran around to the front of the house and toward her van. Her adrenaline was surging, causing her hand to shake as she reached for the crowbar in the back of her van.

A minute later, Regan was kneeling next to the cellar doors, and having wedged the crowbar between the padlock and the doors’ metal handle, was pushing with all her strength to dislodge the lock. The lock didn’t give, but the wood under one of the metal handles splintered, and Regan was able to pry it free of the door.

Pulling the door open, the scent of wet wood, sweat, and musk wafted over her. It reminded her of the Austin zoo on a hot July morning. Crowbar in hand, Regan descended the stairs, guided by a faint light coming from a far corner of the cellar.

The walls of the room were limestone, the floor was just bare packed earth, and the ceiling low, giving the space a cave feel. Rounding the corner of a wall she assumed led to the stairs, Regan stopped.

Her eyes narrowed in disbelief as her brain struggled to process what she was seeing. A small cell had been constructed in the furthest corner of the basement. Thick metal bars ran the length of an opening that had been carved out of the rock wall. Curled up at the back of the cell was a naked, trembling Lily.

“Lily?” Regan took a tentative step toward the woman.

Lily’s head shot up, her short hair matted to her head with a sweat that coated her entire body. “Regan?”

The woman got to her knees, and crawled toward the metal bars as Regan rushed toward her. “What the hell is happening?” Regan began scanning the cage for a latch or lock to release the woman.

Lily looked over Regan’s shoulder at the open cellar door. The moonlight was dimly lighting the wooden stairs. “You need to leave.”

“Screw that. I need to get you out of here.” Regan found the hinges of the cell door, and wedged the crowbar into the small crease.

“Stop!” Lily’s voice verged on a growl. “Leave me. Please!”

A chill ran up Regan’s spine. Lily’s voice was raw and guttural. “Why are you in there?”

Shaking her head, the woman slid toward the back of the cage. “It doesn’t matter. Just go.”

Regan gasped. In the darkness of the cage, Lily’s blue eyes had begun to glow an iridescent yellow. “Lily, I -”

Before Regan could process what was happening, Lily lunged toward the bars of the cage. Her jaw was elongated as the teeth in her mouth appeared to be multiplying. Her tan skin looked red and flushed as the muscles under it shifted and moved before Regan’s stunned eyes.

“Leave!” The growl of Lily’s command filled the cellar, and instinct took over for Regan. Sprinting up the stairs, she practically jumped into the driver’s seat of her van, and sent dirt and gravel flying as she sped away from the house.

The jarring from the van hitting the metal cattle guard near the main road brought Regan back to reality. The van skidded as she steered it onto the blacktop, and toward Howell.

Regan’s hands were still trembling as she struggled to get the key into the store’s lock. Her knees felt unhinged as she ran up the stairs to her room, being sure to lock both the downstairs and upstairs doors behind her.

Her breath was coming in short bursts as she backed away from the door, beads of sweat trickling down her forehead. Scanning the room, Regan pulled the only sizable piece of furniture she had toward the door.

The bed’s metal spindles creaked and squealed as the woman slid the foot of the bed flush against the wooden door. Swallowing hard, Regan’s throat felt like sandpaper, dry and tight. She moved to the small kitchen and took a bottle of water from the refrigerator. Nearly emptying the bottle in a series of rapid gulps, Regan felt lightheaded and stumbled to the bed.

Lying back on the soft mattress, the woman took long, even breaths in an attempt to stay off fainting. She looked at her watch, and couldn’t believe it was only ten o’clock at night. The night, and the shocking revelations it had been riddled with, had seemed to stretch on forever.

Sitting up, Regan drank the last of the water, and dropped the bottle to the floor. A gnawing sense of disbelief was slowly spreading across her mind. Shaking her head, Regan stood. The room was silent except for the low hum of the refrigerator.

Her memory skittered and finally settled on the night she had got the flat on the way back from the observatory. Remembering the growls, and then the yellow eyes glaring at her through the darkness, Regan sank back down onto the bed, her mouth dry again with fear. Oh, god.

***

“You won’t get a refund.” Vera sat behind the counter of the shop, a copy of the Big Bend Sentinel obscuring her face, plumes of cigarette smoke rising into the air as Regan went back and forth with the few boxes she had.

“That’s fine.” Regan didn’t care about the money. She had decided at three in the morning, when sleep had given way to cold sweats and nightmares, that she would rather sleep in her van outside the observatory then stay in Howell another night.

Vera shrugged, and turned her attention back to the paper. “No skin off my back.”

Regan was arranging the last of her boxes in the back of the van, when a shadow fell over her. Standing up, she came face-to-face with Trent.

“Regan, going somewhere?” The man peered around the woman, his eyes scanning the back of the van.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Regan forced herself to make eye contact with the man. She was tired and scared, but refused to let this bully get the better of her. “As a matter of fact I am. A room has opened up at the observatory, and it just makes sense to move closer to my work.”

Trent tisked and shook his head. “You’re lying.”

“Excuse me?” Regan felt her anxiety morph instantly to anger at the man’s insinuation.

Trent leaned down, his face inches from Regan’s. “I said -”

“That’s enough, Trent.” Lily’s voice came from the side of the van, her tone hard as she took a step to the side of Regan.

The man’s eyes shot up, and he glared at his sister. “You don’t tell me when it’s enough.” Pointing his long index finger at Lily, the man seethed. “I decide when it’s enough.”

Lily stepped between her brother and a stunned Regan. “This isn’t the time or the place.” She scanned the sidewalk and street. Several residents stood in front of Hobb’s Market, clearly interested in the group’s exchange.

Trent’s eyes darted back and forth, his shoulders relaxed, and he looked past Lily to Regan. “Later.” Without a word to his sister, the man turned and walked toward the Last Stop.

After several seconds, Lily turned to face Regan. “I’m sorry about that.” She looked down. “I’m sorry for him.”

A twinge of concern and sympathy for a clearly distressed Lily shot through Regan, but was quickly replaced with the horrific images from the night before. “It doesn’t matter.” She turned and closed the van’s back gate.

“Regan, please.” Lily’s warm hand was on Regan’s shoulder, her voice pleading.

Pulling away, Regan struggled, thinking about the month she had spent getting to know the woman, in contrast to the trauma of the night before. “It doesn’t matter. Forget it.”

Lily’s voice broke as she spoke. “I want to explain.”

Regan turned, and felt her resolve wane when she saw the tortured expression on Lily’s face. “I - it’s fine. I won’t say anything, and - it’s fine.” Regan stepped around the beautiful woman, and quickly walked back toward the store.

Realizing Lily had come into the store with her, Regan quickly gestured for the woman to follow her up the stairs. Vera had already put her paper down, and was outright staring at the pair.

“Leave the door open.” Regan’s voice was stern, as if she was talking to a child. Her common sense was telling her she didn’t want to be in a closed space with Lily.

A hurt expression crossed Lily’s face, darkening her otherwise light blue eyes. Regan watched, feeling helpless as tears pooled in the corners of the woman’s eyes. “Shit. Fine, close the damn door.”

Lily left the door slightly cracked. Without moving any closer, the woman took a deep breath. “I like you so much, Regan. I’m not sure what to tell you, and what to keep from you.” Shaking her head, the dark haired woman looked intently at Regan. “No. I should tell you everything. It’s the only way.”

Regan’s stomach felt sour and tight. She wasn’t sure she was ready for the truths of her life to be unbound, scattered, and left behind. She meant to tell Lily not to speak. They would be out of each other’s lives soon enough, and Regan could live with not knowing. Instead, she nodded her consent, the curiosity and imagination that had driven her entire life speaking over the shouting of her conscious mind.

“I come from a long line of werewolves.”

The statement had been uttered so casually, Regan nearly asked Lily to repeat herself. She had certainly suspected, based on what she had witnessed the night before. Still, hearing a truth with such far reaching implications spoken so frankly, left Regan speechless.

Lily’s eyes narrowed as she concentrated her attention on Regan. “Did you hear me?”

Regan willed her mind through the fog of doubt, and back into the present. “Yes.”

Lily took a tentative step toward Regan. “Say something. Please.”

Regan felt as if her throat and lungs had filled with water. She couldn’t breathe or speak as the room began to spin around her. Suddenly her legs gave out, and she found herself falling toward the wood floor of her room, clutching desperately at the air for something to save her.

A warm hand wrapped firmly around her wrist, and then an arm pulled her back from the brink. Opening her eyes, she looked up into Lily’s clear blue ones. “You fainted.” The worried woman sat on the floor, Regan’s head cradled in her lap.

Regan’s muscles felt weak, and she was unable to lift her head. “Sorry.”

Lily smiled, and gently brushed a strand of Regan’s hair off her forehead. “I’m glad I caught you.” Looking around, Lily frowned at their position on the floor. “Well, sort of.”

Regan felt something of herself returning, and lifted her head slowly. “I need to sit up.”

“Sure.” Lily ran her arm under Regan’s shoulders and lifted.

The room spun a little more as Regan managed, with Lily’s help, to sit up. “I’ve got it.” Regan leaned to the side, and slowly got to her knees Then after a few seconds, she pushed herself up.

Standing proved more challenging than she expected, and she instinctively reached for Lily as her legs began to buckle again. The dark haired woman wrapped her arm around Regan’s waist and guided her to the bed.

“Lay down and I’ll get you some water.” Stepping back from Regan, Lily went to the kitchen and returned a few seconds later with a glass of water. “The refrigerator was empty, so tap will have to do.”

Regan gratefully took the water, and drank it eagerly. “Thanks.”

Lily took the glass from Regan, and sat it on the wooden nightstand. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Lily looked expectantly at the prone woman. Regan in turn, wasn’t sure what to say. Nothing in her life’s experiences had prepared her for this situation, and clearly her conversational skills were lacking as a result.

“I know I owe you an explanation, Regan.” Lily nervously flicked her thumb across her forefinger.

“You really don’t.” Regan had an almost overwhelming urge to run. “We’ve known each other like half a second, and I know we - well slept together, but we’re not dating - so, you - what I’m trying to say is we don’t owe each other anything.”

Regan nodded, feeling she had managed, albeit not very articulately, to say what she meant. She shifted and sat up on the bed next to Lily. “We’re cool.”

Lily’s expression was unreadable. Her eyes fixed on Regan as her lower lip began to tremble. To Regan’s horror, the woman began crying uncontrollably, deep sobs filling the room.

“I’m so sorry.” Lily managed through the tears. “I don’t mean to put any of this on you, and I know how pathetic this is.” She wiped at her runny nose with the back of her hand.

Regan was suddenly struck with how surreal the situation was. She was sitting in her bedroom with a bawling woman she had slept with, who also happened to turn into a dog. In spite of how terrifying the night before had been, things weren’t shaping up to be a dark tale of the macabre, and Lily was not some nightmarish beast.

Reaching over, Regan put her hand on Lily’s back. “It’s not pathetic. It’s odd, but not pathetic.”

Lily stifled a sob as she looked up at Regan. “I wanted to tell you, but then you’re leaving and I didn’t see the point.”

Regan got up, and going into the small bathroom, pulled several tissues from their box, and walked back to a still crying Lily. Handing the woman the tissues, Regan wasn’t sure what to do next. She opted to sit down next to Lily, and let her set the tone.

After nearly a minute of watching the beautiful woman blow her nose and wipe her eyes, Regan couldn’t help but smile. It dawned on her that regardless of what additional aspects of the woman’s personality and life had come to light, she was still the same woman Regan had found instantly appealing a month ago.

“Can I get you some water?” Regan asked. Lily nodded, and the woman picked up the glass she had used earlier and walked to the kitchen. Returning, Regan handed the glass to Lily.

Emptying the glass, Lily set it back on the nightstand, and managed a weak smile. “I appreciate how not hysterical you’re being.”

Regan shrugged, and sat back down on the bed. “You seem to have that covered.”

Lily’s brow furrowed in response to Regan’s attempt at humor, but after a few seconds, the two women looked at each other and in unison erupted into laughter.

“Jesus.” Lily ran her hand through her short hair, rolling her eyes toward the ceiling. “I’m a mess.”

“You’re beautiful.” Regan hadn’t meant to say the words aloud, and was surprised when she didn’t regret the utterance.

Lily smiled, and reached for Regan’s hand. “Thank you.”

Regan nodded, and reluctantly removed her hand from Lily’s. “I have to get going.”

Lily frowned. “I wish you’d stay, but I understand.”

Regan stood, and before she thought better of it, asked the question that was foremost in her mind. “Speaking of staying - why do you?”

Lily chewed nervously on the inside of her lower lip. “It’s complicated.”

Regan pursed her lips. “Is that the case, or code for you don’t want to talk about it?”

Lily grinned. “Both.”

“Fair enough.” Regan walked toward the door, and then turned around. “I promise I won’t tell anyone, and I didn’t ask for tons of details because that will make it easier to keep that promise.” She hesitated. “Not because I didn’t care enough to ask.”

The truth was she had a million questions. The fact she squelched her natural curiosity to ensure she was never in a position to compromise Lily’s secret, told Regan more about her feelings for the woman than she cared to admit. Leaving Lily was going to be one of the hardest things Regan had ever done.

Lily had closed the space between her and Regan. The two women embraced, and Regan placed a gentle kiss on Lily’s cheek before releasing her, and descending the stairs. Walking to her van, Regan was torn between needing to leave, and wanting to stay.

Her affinity for Lily had been created in a moment, and for a while, their paths intersecting had made this remote part of the world seem like home.

***

“Did you get everything you needed?” William McCale stood next to the white VW van, wearing a green t-shirt that read Gravity Keeps Me Down across the front of it. Regan couldn’t help but smile at the man and his affinity for humorous attire.

Brushing wisps of hair off her forehead, Regan loaded the last of her belongings into the van’s cargo area. Shielding her eyes against the afternoon sun she looked at William. “I did. Thank you for all your help and support.”

The stocky man nodded. “Safe travels.” He extended his hand to Regan. “Sure you won’t go out in the morning?”

“I’ll stop when I get tired.” She shook the man’s hand firmly, and slid behind the steering wheel of the van.

“Wait up!” Jason’s voice came from just behind the van as Regan started the engine. “Were you leaving without saying goodbye?”

Jason and she had shared a room for the past three weeks. In spite of Regan’s initial apprehensions, the man had been on his very best behavior and the two had become good friends.

“Don’t be dramatic, Wiggles. We kiss-kissed and hug-hugged inside.” She teasingly stuck her tongue out at the man.

“I’ll see you in a few months?” Regan had agreed to spend the holidays with Jason and his family in Dallas. For the first time since her parents’ death, she wasn’t dreading that time of year.

“See you then.” She put the van in drive, and pulled away from the observatory. She had managed to stay on top of her data over the past three weeks. With the majority of the correlation complete, all she had left to do was write her conclusions. A wave of euphoria washed over her with the realization that her dissertation was over ninety percent complete.

A few miles from the observatory, the euphoria came to a grinding halt as Regan drove past the mile marker sign for Howell. She had not been able to forget Lily, and had hated how the woman kept creeping into her mind at the most inopportune times.

Committed to not getting any more entangled in the beautiful woman’s affairs, Regan had managed to fight several urges to pay the woman a visit. Now, she was driving right past Lily’s house, and directly through the center of Howell.

Maybe it’s a sign? Regan shook her head, and turned the radio up, hoping the sound of OneRepublic’s Counting Stars would drown out the incessant voice telling her to detour.

Her arms practically ached to turn the van into Lily’s driveway, but Regan willed her foot to stay on the accelerator, refusing to even look up the drive toward the houses. Her will power faltered at the Howell city limits, and she was surprised to find herself parked outside the Last Stop.

Reverse, Andrews. Reverse! Even as her common sense and self-preservation were screaming in her head, her hands were independently putting the van in park, turning the engine off, and opening the door. Inexplicably, Regan found herself at the door to the restaurant, a thin film of sweat forming along her forehead and back.

Now I have to go in. She’s probably already seen me. Taking a deep breath, Regan pulled the door open, a blast of cool air rushing over her.

Waiting a few seconds for her eyes to adjust to the dim interior, Regan scanned the room. To her dismay, Lily was nowhere to be found.

A young blonde woman Regan didn’t recognize stood behind the counter. “Just grab a seat anywhere.”

Stepping up to the counter, Regan cleared her throat. “Actually, I was wondering if Lily was working today.”

The blonde shook her head. “Nope. She’s off on Tuesdays now.”

Regan nodded. “Thanks.” Resigned that the proverbial planets were perpetually aligned against them, Regan stepped back from the counter, and walked toward the door.

“But I saw her over at Hobb’s about ten minutes ago.” The blonde said casually.

Regan couldn’t squelch the grin that spread over her lips. “Thanks.”

Jogging across the street, Regan stopped short of the market’s entrance when she saw Lily walk out with a paper sack in her arms. Directly behind her was Trent.

“Shit.” Regan muttered. Things were strained enough without Trent being involved.

Before Regan could beat a hasty retreat back to her van, Lily’s eyes met hers, and a broad smile found the dark haired woman’s full lips. Independent of her will, and no longer concerned with Trent, Regan walked toward the woman.

“Regan, you’re back.” Lily beamed as she stepped down onto the sidewalk.

“Passing through. I’m done at Addison, and thought I would say hello.” Shoving her hands into her front pockets, Regan suddenly felt nervous. “And, I guess, goodbye.”

Trent stepped out from behind his sister. “Long time no see, Regan.” The man looked Regan up and down. “You’re looking good.”

Lily handed her brother the bag of groceries. “Take these to the truck, please.”

Trent took the bag, but didn’t leave. “And miss the chance to catch up with Regan? Never.”

“Trent.” Lily glared at her brother. After a second, he conceded, and retreated to Lily’s blue Ford truck.

Suddenly alone with Lily, Regan was at a loss as to what to say to the woman. Their parting had been difficult and cluttered with a slew of strange occurrences, but Regan had missed Lily.

“I’ve been thinking about you.” Lily’s voice broke as she managed to barely whisper the words.

“Me too.” Regan smiled. “Look, I’m in no hurry. Do you want to do something?”

Lily frowned, and looked toward where Trent stood leaning against the side of the truck. “I can’t.”

“It’s kind of now or never, Lily.” Regan worked to keep the irritation out of her voice.

“I know. It’s just -” She stepped closer to Regan. “It was my birthday last week.”

Regan smiled. “Well, happy belated.”

Shaking her head, Lily’s eyes darted over to Trent again as she lowered her voice. “I’m twenty five now, and -”

Seeing the anguish in the woman’s eyes, Regan reached for her hand. “What’s happened?”

“I can’t tell you here. Meet me at the Cathedral Peak trail head in an hour.” Not waiting for Regan’s response, the woman quickly walked toward her truck.

Regan was left standing in the middle of the sidewalk, alone and confused. Watching Lily drive off, a quote from one of Regan’s favorite books, The Great Gatsby, popped into her head, and she knew she would be in Howell for at least another hour. I wasn't actually in love, but I felt a sort of tender curiosity.

***

It was almost seven, and Regan had been waiting in her van near Cathedral Peak for close to an hour and a half. Looking at her watch for the ninth time in the past half hour, the woman sighed, resigned that she had been stood up.

Just as she was about to start the van, Lily’s blue truck appeared in the parking lot next to her. The woman looked over at Regan and mouthed “I’m sorry.”

Regan pushed her irritation aside to make room for the genuine pleasure she took in seeing Lily. Hopping out of the van, she walked around to greet the dark haired woman.

“I’m so sorry to be late. I got held up.” Lily pulled Regan to her in a tight embrace.

Surprised by the sudden display of affection, Regan felt her breath leave her as the woman’s lean frame pressed to her. “I was beginning to worry.”

Leaning back, Lily cupped Regan’s cheek with her hand. “Thank you for waiting.” She pressed her lips to Regan’s. The fullness and warmth of Lily’s mouth flooded Regan’s senses as she struggled to maintain her balance.

A quiet moan escaped Regan as the tip of Lily’s tongue ran across her lower lip. “Clearly I made the right choice not to leave.”

The two women stood, their foreheads pressed together and their arms around each other’s waists. Lily took a tentative step back. “Can we walk?”

Regan hoped her legs would carry her. The adrenaline and desire coursing through her made the phrase “weak in the knees” all too real. “It’s getting dark.” Regan looked up at the sky. The sun had set behind the mountains, and the quarter moon was just above the eastern horizon.

“It’ll be fine.” Lily took Regan’s hand, and pulled her toward the trail.

Regan stopped. “Wait. What about -” She looked over at the moon.

Lily’s eyes widened. “That’s one of the things I want to talk to you about.”

Regan’s eyes narrowed. She didn’t want to be suspicious of Lily, but there were too many unknowns. “Why don’t you start by explaining why you’re not currently furry and on all fours?”

Lily snapped her fingers, a mischievous grin on her face. “Right. That.” She stepped around Regan, and focused her attention on the moon. “I can control the turning during every phase except full.” She looked at Regan. “That’s why you found me in that cage.”

Regan nodded as if she understood. The reality was she had no point of reference, and her scientific mind was telling her none of this was possible. The moon was simply a massive rock orbiting the Earth, and had nothing to do with turning people into wolves. Then again, Regan knew the very notion of a person transforming into an animal was ludicrous, regardless of the moon’s involvement.

“Are you -” Regan wasn’t sure how to ask the question without offending Lily, but she needed to know. “Are you able to reason? Are you still you?”

Lily turned toward Regan. Her face was cast in shadows, and Regan couldn’t see her eyes clearly as she spoke. “Less and less as the full moon approaches, and then not at all.”

Regan’s breath caught. The idea of losing herself, of forgetting who she was and the people that mattered to her was terrifying. “It was you that night - by the road.”

Lily hesitated before responding. “Yes. Trent and his boys were out hunting, and thought they would have some fun.” She shook her head. “I couldn’t have forgiven him if they had hurt you.” She gently rubbed Regan’s forearm.

Regan was trying desperately to pace the barrage of questions that flooded her mind. But in spite of her best efforts, every one of Lily’s answers spurred more inquiries. “Can a human be turned? Ah, like in the movies?”

Lily chuckled. “No. It runs in the family, so to speak.”

“What does it feel like?” The idea of a human being folding, shaping, and transforming into a wolf was beyond Regan’s understanding. Every fiber of her being told her it was impossible, but she had seen enough to know there was clearly more to the world than even science could fathom, much less explain.

Cocking her head to the side, Lily looked up out of the corner of her eye. “Hmm, it’s like when you wake up in the morning, and you have your first really great stretch. Your breath gets caught, and all the blood pushes into your muscles.” She looked back at Regan. “Like that, I guess.”

Regan was relieved the change wasn’t painful for the woman. She assumed her life was made complicated enough without the added burden of pain. Looking at Lily, Regan caught a worried expression cross her beautiful face. She sensed there was something the woman wasn’t telling her. She suspected, though, that any attempt to rush Lily’s disclosures would only agitate her. Taking Lily’s hand, Regan walked toward the trail.

“How’s your night vision?” Regan teased.

“Pretty bad, actually. I wear contacts, and without them I’m legally blind in my left eye.”

Regan stopped, sending Lily careening into the back of her. “Are you kidding?”

Shaking her head, Lily shrugged. “No. When I’m human, I’m just as frail as anyone. Even in wolf form, I’m no more or less tough than any other wolf.”

“I’ve noticed your brother always smells of licorice and whiskey. Is that because he’s -”

Lily laughed. “That’s because he’s been hooked on black licorice since he was ten, and drinks like a fish.”

Regan felt embarrassed as heat rushed to her face. “I guess I’ve seen too many movies and read too many books.”

“It’s not sexy, and if managed right, it isn’t particularly scary either.”

A question had been biting at the back of Regan’s mind, and she finally felt the courage to ask it push to the forefront. “Were your parents killed when they were - wolves?” Regan watched the woman’s expression closely. Tears springing to her eyes.

“Yes.” An errant tear ran down the woman’s cheek, and Regan gently wiped at it with her thumb.

“What happened?” Regan continued walking, her and Lily’s hands entwined.

“It was a full moon. They were hunted and shot.” The sorrow in the woman’s voice brought tears to Regan’s eyes as she remembered the stabbing ache of loss when her parents were killed.

The two women walked up the trail in a comfortable silence. Reaching one of the first scenic overlooks, they stopped. The daylight was all but gone, and the night had cast the mountains in faint blues and grays. Looking out over the sky, Regan shuddered at its enormity.

“Are you okay?” Lily wrapped her arm around Regan’s waist.

“What were your parents’ names?”

Her eyes still fixed on the distant horizon, Lily smiled. “Eric and Joan.”

“Not scary at all.” Regan said matter-of-factly.

Lily laid her head on Regan’s shoulder. “They were wonderful.”

***

It was almost completely dark as Regan and Lily made their way back down the trail. “I’m sorry I missed your birthday.”

Lily shrugged. “It’s not a big deal.”

Remembering the woman’s cryptic comment early regarding her birthday, Regan thought she had been patient enough in waiting for an explanation. “What did you mean earlier when you said you couldn’t because you were twenty five now?”

They had just reached the parking lot, and Lily released Regan’s hand. “I had hoped you had forgotten that.”

“Mind like a steel trap.” Regan tapped her temple with her index finger.

Stepping toward her, Lily wrapped her arms around Regan’s shoulders. “It hardly matters now.”

Sensing the woman was hesitating more out of fear than truly believing the topic was moot, Regan eyed her suspiciously. “Nice try.”

Stepping back, Lilly shoved her hands into the back pockets of her jeans. “You asked why I can’t leave.” She was either unable or unwilling to look at Regan, and her sudden evasiveness was making Regan nervous.

“Yes.”

“There are very few of us left. Over the centuries bloodlines have been weakened when we have had children with humans.” She glanced up at Regan, and then quickly back down at the ground. “To ensure survival, a woman is expected -”

Regan failed to catch the gasp before it exited her mouth. “You’re not saying -”

Lily turned and began walking toward her truck. “I shouldn’t have said anything. It’s none of your business, anyways.”

Realizing she had let her shock get the better of her, Regan went after Lily. “Hold up. I’m sorry, but I wasn’t expecting you to tell me you were being made to breed for the sake of perpetuating the species.” Regan looked up at the night sky. “Shit, that sounded even worse out loud.”

“Forget I said anything.” Pulling her keys from the front pocket of her jeans, Lily unlocked the driver side door.

Regan put her hand on the window to stop the woman from opening the door, and presumably driving away forever. “Who?”

Lily looked at Regan, her expression unreadable. “Robert or Caleb.”

Regan shook her head. “Who?”

“The two men you’ve seen with my brother.”

“Do you even know them?” Regan couldn’t believe she was having this conversation with any woman in a first world country in the twenty-first century, much less a lesbian.

“I’ve known them my entire life.” Lily looked at Regan’s hand. “Excuse me.”

Regan didn’t move. “Why would you agree to this?”

“We’re near extinction.” Lily stood with her hand on the truck’s door handle, her head lowered.

“Then let Robert and - ah, Caleb go find themselves a nice willing and straight woman to copulate with.” Regan’s heart was pounding in her ears, and she was struggling not to berate Lily with a full on rant about the importance of being true to who she was, regardless of what her family wanted.

Shaking her head, Lily looked at Regan. “Don’t you think I would if I could? A child with a human has less than a fifty percent chance of being a werewolf.” Her eyes narrowed, and her voice hardened. “Why do you think the bloodlines are nearly extinct now?”

“But you can’t be the only woman around?” Regan wondered why it should matter to her so much what Lily did. Hadn’t they already determined their relationship was temporary and once she left Howell, nonexistent?

The look of desperation and despair on Lily’s face forced Regan to dial back her irritation and shock.  Before she could attempt to console the woman, though, a pair of headlights appeared on the road. Moments later, a black Chevy truck Regan recognized as Trent’s pulled into the parking lot.

“I have to go.” Lily wrenched the door open, and pushed past Regan to get into her truck.

Trent pulled behind Lily, effectively blocking her from leaving. Flinging the door open, the man bolted from the Chevy, his face twisted in a hateful sneer.

“Who the fuck do you think you are?!” Before he could reach Regan, who stood stunned next to the truck, Lily sprung from the vehicle and stood between Trent and Regan.

“I’m leaving, so calm down.” Lily’s voice was quieter than the tension in her shoulders and back indicated.

“You stay. She’s leaving!” The man reached for Regan, and was halted by a swift slap to his right cheek by Lily.

“Stop!” The woman’s voice was pleading.

Holding his hand over his cheek, Trent’s eyes were wide with shock. “Get in my truck. We’re going home.”

The thought of Lily being hauled off by this maniac brought Regan out of her stunned stupor. “She can do whatever she wants.”

Trent, who had been glaring at his sister, turned his wrath on Regan. “No doubt she’s told you everything, so you know if you don’t shut your mouth I’m going to rip your goddamn throat out.” The man’s eyes flashed a lustrous yellow as he practically snarled at Regan.

“If you hurt her, I won’t help you.” Lily put her hand on her brother’s shoulder.

Trent’s yellow eyes shot back and forth between the two women. “Get in the truck.”

Lily turned to Regan. “I’m sorry. Please, just leave.” Not waiting for an open mouthed Regan to respond, Lily shut the truck door and walked toward the Chevy.

Regan took a tentative step forward only to have her path impeded by Trent. “She told you to leave.”

Looking past Trent, Regan watched as Lily got in his truck. “What people say and what they want aren’t always the same thing.”

Huffing, Trent stepped toward Regan, their faces inches apart, his breath hot of Regan’s face. “You think she’ll protect you? I’m family.”

Regan was tired of this man’s threats and open hostilities. Though her common sense told her not to pick a fight with a werewolf, she wasn’t going to be bested by a backwards Neanderthal. “You’re her brother, and yet you’d have her sleep with one of your buddies so she can spit out a kid and call it a day. That makes you a monster, not family.”

Trent’s eyes narrowed. “What? Buddies?” He laughed. “They’re half-breeds themselves.” The man’s brow arched. “I guess she didn’t tell you everything after all.”

The possessiveness and pseudo-jealousy she had seen in Trent during her stay in Howell took on an entirely new and horrific light. “She wouldn’t.”

“You assume she has a choice. It’s her duty, and then she can do whatever the hell she wants.”

The casualness in which Trent spoke of he and Lily’s intended incest caused Regan’s stomach to turn, and bile to rise to the back of her throat. “You’re sick.”

Trent began backing toward his truck. “We’re animals. No shame, no guilt - no sin.” The man spit. The projectile landed inches from Regan’s feet. Then Trent turned, got in his truck and sped away.

***

The tears had begun to impede Regan’s vision. Fifteen miles outside of Howell, she finally steered her van onto the narrow shoulder of the road, pulled her hazard light switch, and commenced to have a breakdown in the front seat.

She was disgusted, horrified, but mostly afraid for Lily and the impossible choices she faced. The woman was intelligent, funny, and beautiful, but had resigned herself to becoming the human equivalent of a broodmare. Regan couldn’t reconcile the woman she had come to know and care for with the one willing to sacrifice her own happiness for an antiquated notion of family, even if it was a family of werewolves.

Regan flung the door of the van open, and bolted onto the dirt that lined the side of the highway. Bending over, she heaved once, then twice. Still gasping for breath, she stood up. Lifting her head in the air, she took a deep breath, the heat of the day mingling with the night air, making it feel real as it entered and exited her body.

Putting her hands on her hips, she looked around. The quarter moon hung above the mountains to the east, and the stars blanketed the sky. Regan was struck by how the world was continuing on, the landscape remaining vast and empty in spite of the tremendous burden she was now bearing.

I can’t help her if she isn’t willing to help herself. The age old self-help mantra bounced around the woman’s head, leaving her feeling helpless - insignificant. For the first time in her life, Regan wasn’t comforted by how small she was in the expanse of the universe. She needed what she did now, for Lily, to matter.

Walking another twenty yards away from the road, Regan pushed past her apprehensions, and reveled in the darkness as it washed over her like a warm blanket. She knew, had always known, everything she did was ultimately unimportant, but it mattered that she did it anyway.

Tilting her head upward, a smile formed on her lips as she wiped at the last of her tears. Turning, she walked toward the van with purpose. She had resolved to do something, even if Lily didn’t want it, even if, in the end, the woman she cared for was lost.

***

Retrieving the small metal canister from her backpack, Regan reached behind the driver’s seat and grabbed the crowbar. In spite of the comfort the blunt, metal object gave her, she knew there was a very real chance she could be injured, or worse, killed.

It wasn’t bad enough that Trent could turn and maul her to death. He could just as easily shoot her utilizing his very human hands and opposable thumbs. After all, this was Texas.

Regan had parked her van nearly a quarter mile away from the Sexton houses, and had managed to navigate the vehicle thirty yards off the road to further minimize the risk of it being seen. Now, as she approached Lily’s house, her eyes strained to make out the shape of either Lily’s truck or Trent’s.

Both siblings were there. Whether they were together in the same house or not, Regan couldn’t be sure. Winding her way toward the guest house, Regan saw a shadow move behind the front window, and recognized Lily's silhouette.

Opting for the more subtle approach of the back door, Regan’s legs and arms trembled as she jogged around the house. Looking across the narrow space between the houses, Regan was relieved to see lights on in the main house. She felt more assured that Trent wasn’t inside the smaller home.

Gently tapping on the glass pane of the sliding back door, Regan held her breath. Seconds later, Lily pulled a sheer beige curtain back. Her eyes widened when she saw Regan standing on her back porch. Looking past Regan, a grimace crossed the dark haired woman’s face as she shook her head.

Whispering, Regan stepped closer to the door. “I’ve come all this way, can’t we at least talk?”

Lily shook her head again, but Regan was encouraged by the fact the woman hadn’t closed the curtain.

“Please.” Regan wasn’t going to beg, but she was a firm believer if first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

Lily’s shoulders sagged, and she slowly reached for the deadbolt. A click later, and the woman was sliding the door open.

“You can’t be here.”

“Because you don’t want me to be, or because you’re afraid?”

“What difference does that make?” Lily’s voice was strained as she struggled to maintain hushed tones.

Regan frowned. “It makes all the difference.”

The two women looked at each other for several seconds. Just when Regan was about to step back and resign herself to failure, Lily stepped back and gestured for her to enter the house.

“You can’t stay long.” Lily shut the backdoor and glanced toward the front of the house. “Trent is coming over any minute.”

Regan nodded. “I won’t stay long, and I don’t want to make more trouble for you. I just want you to know you have choices.”

Lily crossed the small kitchenette area, and leaned against the rose granite countertop. “I know it seems like that to you, but I promise - I, I really don’t.”

“Why do you think that?” Regan stepped toward the woman, wanting desperately to will the confidence and assuredness she needed into her.

“If I leave, then I’m responsible for the end of my clan.”

Regan shook her head and took Lily’s hand. “No. Decisions were made, and events took place, long before you were born that caused this. You can’t believe you’re responsible for reshaping an entire history?”

Lily’s eyes lightened, and Regan thought something she had said must have resonated with the woman. Before either could speak again, the front door creaked and Trent stood in the entryway. “Well, goddamn, you’re a persistent little bitch.”

Lily immediately shifted, placing herself between her brother and Regan. “Don’t.”

Barely had the word left her mouth than Trent had pulled his thin white t-shirt over his head, and kicking off his boots, unbuckled his jeans. A second later, the man’s skin was a bright red as the muscle and bone beneath it shifted, cracked and expanded.

The shift happened so quickly Regan barely had a chance to process what she had seen. In place of Trent was a large gray wolf. Its hair was coarse and shimmered in the light of the living room, as its yellow eyes fixated on Regan.

A popping sound to her left focused Regan’s attention to where Lily had been standing. Now, in the beautiful woman’s place was a slightly smaller wolf. Its hair was black with flecks of gray.  Its eyes yellow too, and glaring at the larger wolf.

The gray wolf lunged toward Regan. Its intent to kill the woman was clear as its teeth were bared and its eyes enraged. The smaller black wolf sprung forward, and tackled the larger animal to the floor, shattering one of the oak end tables into pieces with the force of both animals hitting it.

Trent rebounded first, and sunk his teeth into the scruff of Lily’s neck. A loud yelp filled the room as he flung his sister to the side. Regan watched as the animal crouched, preparing to leap at her. Regan found her way through the cloud of fear that engulfed her. She reached into her front pocket and pulled the small metal canister free, pointed it at the wolf, and emptied the can of pepper spray into the animal’s face and mouth.

Howling, yelping, and what almost sounded like human cries erupted from Trent as he twisted his head awkwardly toward the floor, trying to wipe the offending liquid off.

Regan ran toward the back door. Glancing back, she saw Lily stalking toward her still dazed brother. Yellow eyes softened, and the black wolf looked directly at Regan. Tears filled the woman’s eyes as she reached for the back door.

Lily nodded, and then glanced toward the door. Unable to manage her fear any longer, Regan slid the door open, and looking one last time at Lily, turned and ran as fast as she could toward the van and the world beyond Howell.

***

“I can’t believe you’re going to be gone an entire year.” Regan’s friend Jenny lamented.

Regan, pressed the speaker icon on her iPhone, and laid the device on her cluttered dining room table. She had been back in College Station for over three months. Her dissertation had been accepted, and she was officially Doctor Regan Andrews.

“There are worse places to be for a year than the Canary Islands.”

“Yeah, like BFE West Texas.” Jenny chuckled, but the reminder of Regan’s two months at Addison left her feeling more confused than jovial.

“Ah, yeah. Way better.” Regan’s heart had pounded for nearly an hour after she had fled the chaos of Lily’s house. She had made the decision during the nine hour drive home that she would keep her original promise and never tell anyone about Howell or the wolves. It seemed the very least she could do for Lily.

“So drinks tonight at O’Bannon’s? Eight o’clock.” Jenny and Regan had known each other since they were both sophomores, and most of the friends either woman had were mutual. With Regan’s impending departure, her friend had arranged a sendoff sure to be riddled with plenty of reminiscence and ruckus.

“You do remember I’m not much of a drinker, friend?” Regan taped a box marked kitchen closed and glanced at her watch. The movers were going to be there to pick up her belongings for storage within the hour, and she was nowhere near done packing.

“I know. Why do you think we all hang out with you? Best designated driver ever.”

Regan smiled. “At least you’re honest.” There was a knock at the door. “Shit, Jen, I have to go. The movers are here early.”

“Check. See you tonight.” The phone went silent, and Regan laid the roll of tape down on the dining room table, trying not to be annoyed with the movers for being early when she was running late.

Unlocking the deadbolt, Regan opened the door. “Lily?”

Regan had no hope of stifling the utter shock in her voice. Her mouth hung open as she looked at the beautiful, dark haired woman standing in her doorway. Lily was dressed in a pair of faded fitted jeans, brown leather flip flops, and a lavender color V-neck t-shirt.

“Hi.” The woman nervously chewed the inside of her cheek. “I’m hoping you invite me in, or I have really overestimated my position.”

“What?” For all of her education and intelligence, Regan had suddenly gone dumb. “I mean - sure, of course.” Stepping back, she watched in amazement as Lily walked through her door and back into her life.

Looking around, the dark haired woman nodded. “I like your apartment.” Seeing the boxes, the corners of her mouth turned down. “You’re moving?”

Regan realized she was still standing in the open doorway, and nodding, closed the door. “Yes. I’ve been accepted for a residency at an observatory in the Canary Islands for a year.”

“Wow. That’s - that’s great.” Lily managed a weak smile as she shifted nervously from foot to foot.

The tension in the room was suffocating, and Regan had no idea what to do about it. “Ah, can I get you something to drink?” Shaking her head, the woman rubbed the back of her neck. “Strike that. What are you doing here?”

Lily sighed deeply. “I left Howell. You were right. I didn’t owe the past my future. I couldn’t go through with any of it, and once I made that decision I couldn’t stay.”

Regan smiled. “That’s wonderful.”

Nodding, Lily put her brown leather bag down on Regan’s couch. “I found you on the internet, and wanted to thank you for talking me through that craziness.”

Regan walked toward the couch, and gestured for Lily to sit next to her. “What about Trent?”

A slight shudder shook the dark haired woman. “The night you left was awful. He was out of control, and nearly rabid with rage and blood lust.” Regan took Lily’s hand in hers, reassuringly stroking it with her thumb.

“Did he hurt you?” Regan braced herself for the response.

“No, but only because he couldn’t see and could barely breathe after his run in with your pepper spray.” A mischievous glint flashed across the woman’s blue eyes.

“When did you leave?”

“Nearly two months ago.” Sighing, Lily sat back on the couch. “I took my half of everything, and left.” Shrugging, she stared at the floor. “Maybe he’ll find me someday. Who knows? He has some things to hold against me, that’s for sure.”

Regan couldn’t help but ask the obvious question. “How are you managing the full moon these days?” Remembering the cell in Lily’s basement, Regan couldn’t imagine what the equivalent would be while the woman travelled.

Lily grinned. “It’s not very respectable, but I travel with a large dog carrier. The hotel staff is always perplexed when I arrive with the cage, but no dog.”

Regan laughed. “Effective.”

Lily moved closer, her knee touching Regan’s. “I’ve missed you.”

Regan’s chest felt tight, and her mouth was suddenly dry. She had spent the last few months not trying to forget Lily, but hoping she was safe and happy. Now, seeing the woman was clearly thriving, Regan felt her choice to help Lily had not been in vain.

“I’ve thought about you a lot, too. I had hoped you would leave, and be happy somewhere.” Regan cupped the woman’s warm cheek in her palm.

Turning her face, Lily’s lips found Regan’s hand. “Thank you.”

Pulling Lily to her, the two women embraced. Being near Lily again sent a wave of joy and delight through Regan. Leaning back, Regan wiped at an errant tear as it rolled down her cheek. Mustering her courage, she cleared her throat. “How do you feel about islands off the coast of Africa?”

Lily grinned as a short laugh escaped her, tears filling her eyes. “I’m up for most anything these days.”

A smile overtook Regan’s face as she looked affectionately at the woman in front of her. She didn’t know if they would last forever after, but she was going to enjoy the journey regardless of the destination.

###

Also by Heather McVea:

Waking Forever Series

Waking Forever #1 - April 2013

Ela: Forever #1.1 - December 2013

Becoming Forever #2 - January 2014

Dying Forever #3 - August 2014

About the author:

Heather McVea was raised in a small town south of San Antonio, Texas. Prior to escaping to the big city, she raised Hampshire pigs, rode motorcycles at entirely too young an age, and once snow boarded behind a Ford pickup truck. She relishes a strong gin and tonic, but leans after three. Shiny twinkly things make her cringe, up to and including Hollywood vampires.

Heather and her wife have three fur babies, and are drinking their way through all of the distillery tours in Texas. In between pints and the occasional Tanqueray Ten on the rocks, Heather is working on a standalone novel slated for release in February 2015 set in Baltimore.

Follow Heather on Twitter @HMcVea